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MEDIA RELEASE

‘Grant Success to Secure Breakfast Programs Future ’

Healthy Cities Illawarra is delighted to announce that it has been successful in obtaining three year funding from the Department of Community Services – Area Assistance Scheme to support the development and sustainability of the region’s breakfast programs.

The project, entitled ‘Food For Thought’ will employ a part time regional coordinator to develop infrastructure and community capacity to conduct and provide ongoing support to breakfast programs throughout the region. The coordinator will investigate a range of funding and sponsorship opportunities aimed at broadening the funding base. Particular emphasis will be directed at engaging the business sector locally and statewide to make a longer term commitment to the provision of food or other resources for the programs.

Manager for Healthy Cities, Frank Wallner said he was thrilled with the funding. “We have been involved with breakfast programs for over 12 years and finding sustainable funding has always been a battle. This grant will provide us with the opportunity to engage a range of new partners with a view to ensuring the long term support of breakfast programs as well as the potential of expanding to new areas”.

Currently at least 1000 breakfasts are served weekly to children from socially disadvantaged communities at such venues as community centres, schools and youth services. The grant will also allow for the development of a training package and resource kit which can be used to assist and support local program coordinators in such ways as volunteer recruitment and training, food handling, marketing, and program evaluation.

Mr Wallner said that, “While the grant does not provide for the provision of food it will lead to a more long term and sustainable approach to the operation of the region’s breakfast programs”.

Healthy Cities would like to acknowledge the contribution of a range of people who assisted in the preparation of the grant application including Karen Tavener-Smith (formerly HCI), Jane Lipantis (Illawarra Legal Centre), Radda Jordan (Wollongong Council), Rachael Lawson (SESIAHS), Julie Parkinson (SESIAHS). Also thanks to the Southern Suburbs Taskforce, Dianna Bernardi (Red Cross) and Dianne Woods (Nutrition Australia) for their support of the concept.

Enquiries: Caitlin Marshall 4226 5000

Frank Wallner 4226 5000