The Buderim Foundation Thompson Charitable Fund is pleased to announce a new $101,500 grant to Gateway Care to provide vital food vouchers for vulnerable people through the festive season and into 2024.
Bonnie Scorey, Rod McKinnon, Lani Refiti and Marg Welshe with cheque
Buderim Foundation Chair Rod McKinnon said Gateway Care Limited is a not-for-profit organisation providing food, clothing and essential goods for Centrelink registered clients through their Food Distribution Centre at Caloundra.
“Cost-of-living and inflation are creating more challenges for everyone, and those most affected are the most vulnerable in our community so the Buderim Foundation is pleased to be able to work with organisations providing real relief for the homeless and those at risk of homelessness,” Rod McKinnon said.
Gateway Care Chair Lani Refiti said the Gateway Care Food Centre is a non-denominational community organisation run entirely by volunteers.
“We currently spend approximately $15,000 per week on food items, ensuring that families in need have access to vital nourishment, and over 50% of these purchases are freely delivered to Sunshine Coast families experiencing financial difficulties.
Mr Refiti said Gateway Care supports approximately 300 welfare recipient families daily, with approximately 20% of them facing severe financial crisis.
“With the lead in to Christmas, there are even more pressures on families so we are very grateful to the Buderim Foundation Thompson Charitable Fund for this new grant to help us support more families, not just during the festive season but beyond.
“The assistance we provide is often the difference between survival and despair for these vulnerable families, and this grant will enable us to support the growing number of families during the current cost of living crisis” Mr Refiti said.
The Buderim Foundation has been the Trustee for the Thompson Charitable Fund since April 2021. Over the past two years, a rolling grants program to multiple grant recipients has provided over $610,000 to support people experiencing homelessness and financial distress on the Sunshine Coast.
The Buderim Foundation is a philanthropic organisation which harnesses the power of giving by generating income from donations and bequests and providing grants for worthwhile community projects. In addition to the Thompson Charitable Fund, the Buderim Foundation runs a separate community grants program supporting projects benefiting the local Buderim area.
To find out more about the Buderim Foundation Thompson Charitable Fund visit buderimfoundation.org.au/grants/the-buderim-foundation-thompson-fund/. For more information about Gateway Care Food Centre, visit gatewaycare.org.au and for more information about the Buderim Foundation visit buderimfoundation.org.au.
