Moree’s Miyay Birray Youth Service receives an $18,345 State Government grant to reimburse out-of-pocket expenses associated with distributing food and care packages to vulnerable residents during the COVID-19 pandemic, with CEO Darrel Smith, left, Youth Worker Glen Crump and Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall.
Tuesday, 5 July 2022
THE efforts of Moree’s Miyay Birray Youth Service in distributing food and care packages to vulnerable residents at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic have today been recognised, with Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall thanking its staff for their care of the community and announcing an $18,345 State Government grant to reimburse out-of-pocket expenses.
The COVID Regional Community Support (CRCS) program provided grants of between $1,000 and $30,000 to organisations which partnered with Resilience NSW to deliver food/care hampers to community members during last year’s lockdown.
Mr Marshall said Miyay Birray had delivered more than 500 packages to communities across the Moree Plains Shire.
“Once again in the very worst of circumstances the very best in human nature has shone through,” Mr Marshall said.
“Utilising existing charity networks, the State Government was able to ensure the elderly, people living with a disability and those with underlying health conditions could still access essential items, while remaining in lockdown and away from the risk posed by COVID-19.
“This financial assistance from the State Government reimburses those organisations, helping them to cover some of the costs incurred, including fuel, couriers and logistics expenses.
“Miyay Birray accrued significant costs due to the fact its deliveries extended beyond Moree township to Boomi, Garah and Mungindi.
“On behalf of the community I want to thank Darrel and his team for stepping up and continuing to help those who need it most.”
Miyay Birray CEO Darrel Smith said the service continued to provide hampers to households which founmd themselves in lockdown due to COVID-19.
“We started providing care packages on the 18th of October 2021 – seven months on and that assistance is still going,” Mr Smith said.
“On behalf of Resilience NSW, we receive lists of people with positive test results, contact them and identify what food and personal care items they require
“For us, a major focus was working with the local Aboriginal Medical Service and HealthWise to ensure members of the Aboriginal community have access to the medical supplies they need.
“While this has been a huge undertaking for Miyay Birray it has also been a very rewarding experience. We are proud of having been able to ensure residents have received the care they need, during such a difficult period.”