A Narre Warren pharmacy is supporting women and families raising children in need as the cost of living continues to ramp up.
Casey Central Shopping Centre’s Blooms The Chemist is offering two funding programs.
Launching in 2019, Women United is providing funding from community donors and customers, allowing them to receive free feminine hygiene and health and wellbeing products, while the No Child Left Behind program supports parents struggling to purchase pharmacy products for their children.
Owner Andrew Leslie said the Women United program has already provided more than $10,000 of support for women, while the No Child Left Behind program has supported more than 50 local parents.
“We feel this is what the community needs,” he said.
“It’s about finding what the needs of the community are.”
Mr Leslie said the programs support their wide customer base, covering Afghan refugees and young families.
“This is a diverse community,” he said.
“Our staff speak over 10 languages.
“There is a lot of in-need families and young families.”
Growing up in Newcastle near Sydney, Mr Leslie said he used to be a surfer at beaches along the coast, such as Redhead Beach, but said he fell in love with the Narre Warren community since buying the business back in 2017.
“I miss the beach, but I love the people in Melbourne,” he said.
“I’m never going back.”
