A community organisation that supplies nutritious hot meals to schools and learning centres across the Limestone Coast to ensure no child goes hungry is the latest recipient of the State Government’s Thriving Communities grant program.
The program, delivered through the Thriving Regions Fund, provides grants to associations and charities for projects that build social resilience through facilitating greater community participation, a sense of belonging and ease of access.
The grants range from $20,000 to $50,000 and are used to fund initiatives such as new or improved infrastructure, access to services and programs or events with wellbeing outcomes.
Spare Ya Change for Kids Inc (SYC4K) creates pre-prepared lunch and dinner meal packs which are distributed to schools to ensure students’ learning is not compromised by hunger.
SYC4K currently supports 25 of the 41 schools in the Limestone Coast region along with Foodbank.
SYC4K will receive $23,500 to support the development of a website to improve accessibility, assist with volunteer coordination, reduce potential food waste and to support operations.
Earlier this year, the State Government allocated an additional $800,000 to the Thriving Communities Program following its popularity in 2023.
Now, 23 projects have had their applications granted as a result of the extra funding.
South East Christian Broadcasters, which runs the community based radio station Lime FM has been allocated a $22,772 grant to replace their outdated computers and equipment.
The station airs educational and assistance programs about mental health, family breakdowns, financial assistance and positive relationships.
Spare Ya Change 4 Kids chair Di Ind was thrilled to receive the funding.
“We are extremely grateful for the support provided to us by the Thriving Communities Fund,” she said.
“With more than 35,000 meal packs created and distributed since our inception, the funding provided will help our volunteer organisation to directly address issues of food insecurity which in turn leads to improved wellbeing, concentration and learning in our schools.
“Studies have highlighted that one in five school aged children do not have access to sufficient or nutritious food. It’s great that our wonderful hardworking volunteers can be supported by a funding grant investing locally and enabling us to take direct action to address this problem.
“SYC4K is well aware there are financial pressures along with individual circumstances which can lead to food insecurity. As a result, we are regularly assessing our offering and responding in a meaningful way.
“The project funding received from the Thriving Communities Fund will help us to run our organisation, raise awareness and to be more accessible ultimately aiming to ‘feed the need’.
Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Clare Scriven said the State Government was pleased to be able to support dozens of organisations from across regional South Australia through the Thriving Communities Program which has been incredibly successful in helping groups to deliver projects that make a difference in their communities.
“Spare Ya Change 4 Kids does a great job in providing meal packs for students who may otherwise go hungry, impacting their wellbeing and their education,” she said.
“This grant will help to streamline co-ordination and improve accessibility, helping schools and students across our region.
“We know the resilience of the whole community is crucial to ensuring our regions thrive.”
