A grant of $4,860 reimburses Uralla Neighbourhood Centre for 135 care packages provided to vulnerable community members during the COVID-19 lockdown, with Chairperson Catherine Gallaher, left, Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall and Secretary Kathy Dodd.
Tuesday, 10 May 2022
A URALLA-BASED organisation which provided food packages to the vulnerable at the height of the pandemic has received a $4,860 State Government grant, with Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall recently meeting members of Uralla Neighbourhood Centre to thank them for their care of the community.
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 the Neighbourhood Centre provided more than 135 packages to members of the community unable to access essential items for themselves.
“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.
“On behalf of the Uralla and Bundarra communities I want to thank volunteers and staff at the Neighbourhood Centre for stepping up and helping fellow neighbours when they needed it most.”
Uralla Neighbourhood Centre Chairperson Catherine Gallaher said the grant would allow the charity to continue offering hampers to those in need.
“This money is gratefully accepted and will mean we can keep offering residents doing it tough, access to affordable fresh fruit and vegetables,” Mrs Gallaher said.
“In the face of rising cost of living pressures, the Neighbourhood Centre through our partnership with Foodbank Australia, intend on continuing the hamper service as the need exists.
“Currently we have 317 food panty members, which just goes to show how high demand is for services like ours.”
Uralla food pantry is open Mondays from 10am to 2pm. The food pantry provides access to low cost pantry food, bread, vegetables and fruit for anyone on a Centrelink benefit.