RESIDENTS experiencing financial hardship in the Northern Illawarra region will continue to have access to healthy food and outreach support, thanks to a funding boost for Bulli based Northern Illawarra Community Connections.

Minister for Health Ryan Park has announced $50,000 in funding for the Northern Illawarra Community Connections specifically to support its Bulli Community Free Food Pantry initiative.

The Community Food Pantry, which operates from the Bulli Community Centre, supports people experiencing food crises with non-perishables, fresh produce, bread, and other essential items. It aims to ensure access to fresh and wholesome food, regardless of people’s financial situation.

Last year alone, the Pantry served on average 405 families each month to include pantry and outreach program for those who were unable to physically come to the Centre for support

Serving its local area since 1989, the Community Food Pantry is available at the Bulli Community Centre on Thursdays from 9.30am to 11am for eligible residents, predominantly from the Thirroul, Bulli, Woonona, Russell Vale areas and surrounds to include north Wollongong.

Liz Brassaud from Northern Illawarra Community Connections: Liz Brassaud said the unprecedented increase in demand for support services, in particular the free community pantry and the emergency outreach program, has been extraordinary.

“We have witnessed the flow on effects of families experiencing hardship, due to the pressures of the cost of living crises, to include homelessness, mental health issues as well as increases in domestic violence presentations,” she said.

“Without this grant our service would not be able to continue the level of support the local community has benefited from for the past 4 years. We know that without this support, lack of nutritious food has negative impacts for people, in particular children 0-5, which can impair cognitive development in the early years, which can result in long lasting negative outcomes for a healthy and productive life.

“We also know that for every $1 of government investment in not-for-profit organisations, government returns on investment are more than quadrupled in health outcomes, due to the cost savings of early intervention, resulting in reduction in people needing to access medical and other support services.

“Once again, thank you for your ongoing support of our community, which will ensure the continuation of the free pantry for those who might otherwise do without, in these unprecedented difficult times.”

NSW Minister for Health Ryan Park said he is pleased to be able to help the important work of Northern Illawarra Community Connections in creating healthy and connected communities and thanked them for their work.

“I know that members of our community are doing it tough. As Health Minister, I am proud to support anything that promotes accessibility to fresh and healthy food and the flow-on effects of that on physical health and wellbeing,” he said.

“This grant will help the Food Pantry to keep doing what it’s doing and I’d like to thank the many volunteers and other organisations and businesses who support this work.”

State MP for Heathcote Maryanne Stuart said the Northern Illawarra Community Connections and its Food Pantry play a crucial role in helping achieve food security in the local area for those who need it most.

“With the new grant, Northern Illawarra Community Connections will continue providing this incredibly valuable service to as many individuals and families as possible,” she said.

“Food insecurity is a pressing issue that affects many families in our area. We believe everyone deserves access to healthy food. This pantry is a vital resource for our community, and we encourage those in need to take advantage of it.”

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