Members of the Canberra/Goulburn community who are experiencing food insecurity will be able to access pantry essentials thanks to a community grant from energy provider, Jemena.
The Food Pantry program will be expanded to the towns of Harden, Boorowa, and Young to provide essential groceries, hygiene items, and household necessities to individuals and families experiencing disadvantage.
St Vincent de Paul Society Canberra/Goulburn CEO, Lucy Hohnen welcomed the funding.
"This means more families and individuals will have access to nutritious food, hygiene items and household essentials when they need them most. The support enables us to respond to urgent needs with practical help, and we thank Jemena for their commitment to supporting regional towns."
Now in its seventh year, Jemena's Community Grants Program has already provided about $870,000 in funding to 85 community groups. This includes $70,000 awarded earlier this year to initiatives supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
For its second round of grants in 2025, Jemena invited applications for initiatives that address disadvantage from not-for-profit organisations, schools, and charities delivering projects across Jemena's footprint. Pleasingly, this year, 16 community groups will share in over $163,000 of funding.
Craig Ypinazar, Jemena's Executive General Manager, People, Safety and Governance said the company was committed to supporting the most vulnerable in the communities in which it operates.
"Local volunteer organisations are at the heart of their communities. We can see from the type of applications we received that cost of living is still a major concerns for many in our community. These grants can go some way towards assisting those who really need it." Mr Ypinazar said.
"This year we have provided assistance to a range of different services including food programs, multicultural outreach programs, and an animal rescue that supports disadvantaged pet owners, especially those escaping domestic and family violence."
