One of the region’s biggest charity events for 2023 is just 10 days away with The Limestone Coast Support Homeless People Luncheon returning to The Barn Palais on July 28.
Tickets are still available, but event organiser ac.care is hoping for a sell-out business networking luncheon to boost the vital local organisation’s capacity to support vulnerable people as demand for its services continues to rise.
“We have a fantastic afternoon planned with Premier Peter Malinauskas visiting as our guest speaker and capacity for 500 people to enjoy a long lunch while learning about ac.care, hearing stories from people we support and discussing how the community can make a difference, including through the exciting fundraising activities on the day, such as auctions, raffles and a lucky-key draw for one attendee to take home a timber rack filled with local wines,” ac.care event coordinator Jason Wallace said.
“Businesses have been very generous supporting the event with ticket purchases and donations of items, supplies and other support to make the day a success, but we are now calling on the community to book remaining seats and arrive ready for a memorable day of the Limestone Coast coming together to support people at risk of or experiencing homelessness.”
This year’s luncheon will be the first since 2018 after the event sold out in 2020, but had to be postponed due to COVID-19 and was eventually cancelled, before being replanned for 2023.
The inaugural luncheon in 2012 was led by the late Barry Maney OAM, with Barry Maney Group’s Barry Stafford continuing to play a key role over subsequent years, with the 2018 luncheon raising $125,000.
“Raising $125,000 through one fundraising event thanks to the business community coming together in support of ac.care made an enormous difference to our capacity to make a difference supporting country people and we are hoping for a similar result this month,” Mr Wallace said.
“Sadly, our services are needed more than ever as an increasing number of people are seeking our support to avoid homelessness, receive emergency relief or secure accommodation.”
Luncheon funds are used to directly support vulnerable country people with past initiatives including renting of emergency accommodation, piloting of unique new approaches to meet gaps in local services and ensuring ac.care has the resources it needs to assist people in a crisis.
The event runs from noon to 4pm with tickets available online for $100 per person, including lunch and complementary beer and wine.
Visit www.bit.ly/SHPL2023 or www.accare.org.au to book tickets.
Hunter Buses Mount Gambier has donated a shuttle bus service to help guests travel safely for the luncheon.
Buses to The Barn will leave from Sturt Street beside the Mount Gambier Library car park half-hourly from 11.15am to 12.15pm.
A return service from The Barn to Sturt Street will operate half hourly from 4.30-5.30pm.
