The Whitsunday Foodbank in Proserpine is welcoming a grant from the 2024 Ergon-Energex Community Fund.
The generous grant of $4,500 has already been allocated for the purchase of a new freezer for the not-for-profit venture, to allow community members to access frozen grocery items.
Chairman of the Board for Whitsunday Foodbank, Jeff Boyle, welcomes the gift.
“Our previous freezer has just died, and being able to replace it so quickly is great,” he explained.
“Our previous freezer was a classic chest freezer, which a lot of our customers overlooked.
“The new one is an upright, two-door freezer with glass panels, so that customers can see exactly what is in the freezer without having to rummage through a big chest freezer.
“It means they can see when we have steaks, or a chook, or meatballs in there without too much hassle.”
Expecting the delivery of the new freezer in the next few weeks, Jeff is eager to stock it full for the Foodbank customers.
“We see between 30 to 40 local residents shop at the Foodbank each week, and being able to better our offering is great.”
The items at the Foodbank are at greatly reduced prices, compared to main chain grocery stores, and are available for pension and healthcare card holders.
“And any families in need,” Jeff explained.
“The cost of the items covers the bare essentials of the shop, that being rent and electricity.
“This isn’t about profit but helping the community.”
The official opening of the Whitsunday Foodbank Proserpine, with Member for Whitsundays Amanda Camm, Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox, and Chairman Jeff Boyle. Photo supplied
