Casey Council has distributed more than $100,000 in food and emergency relief funding to community groups since the end of March as demand surges during the coronavirus pandemic.
Casey Council chair of administrators Noelene Duff said many community groups had sought extra assistance from council throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and emphasised the importance of council’s grants programs as it was committed to supporting community groups.
“At Casey, we provide funding through seven funding streams, which are available for community groups to seek assistance through, to help with the purchase of equipment, deliver training and events, run programs for the benefit of other residents and to generally provide their services,” Ms Duff said.
“We are here to provide financial assistance, but our dedicated council officers are also available to assist you and answer questions throughout the application process.”
Over the last 12 months, the City of Casey has distributed more than $200,000 in grants to local community groups who provide food and emergency relief programs, including more than $100,000 since the end of March.
In the 2020-21 financial year, council has provided $107,902 through its Covid-19 quick response grants, and $41,200 through its community grants.
This includes supporting membership subsidies for disadvantaged residents, equipment supplies, food support for people in need, the translation of culturally and linguistically diverse materials, sneeze screens, sporting equipment, additional cleaning costs and IT equipment, and the delivery of important programs for elderly residents.
Examples of council’s funding that is supporting critical services include:
• $8000 for the Hampton Park Uniting Church to deliver its carer meals program
• $1000 to the Transit Soup Kitchen for kitchen utilities
• $5000 to the Sikh Volunteers Australia to support the delivery of food to those in need
• $2000 to the Peninsula Community Legal Centre to help provide hygiene packs for rooming house clients.
Ms Duff encouraged members from local community groups to see if their organisation is eligible for the grants and reminded everyone that help is available throughout the application process.
For more information about council’s grants program, or to apply for a quick response grant to assist your group throughout the pandemic, visit council’s grant’s page or phone 9705 5200.
