The Limestone Coast Football Association (LCFA) recently made a significant donation to Foodbank SA Limestone Coast following the success of their MiniRoos Carnival.
Every soccer club in the LCFA contributed to the $3000 donation including International Soccer Club who offered additional face painting and shaking of the can at the carnival with all profits donated.
The Lions Club of Gambier City ran a sausage sizzle and asked for a donation, all of which contributed to the final total.
“We always do what we can for the local community and that is all there is to it,” Lions Club of Gambier City fundraiser Trevor Bowden said.
It was upon suggestion by Vince Versace who is a long-time supporter of both organisations that it was decided the donation would be given to Foodbank SA Limestone Coast.
Foodbank SA Limestone Coast branch manager Lynne Neshoda said Mr Versace is a “generous supporter” of the local charity and has been for a long time.
“He gives funds each year to our staples program and was the instigator of running a food drive each year with the Inter Soccer Club, the MiniRoos Carnival involvement this year was another way to perhaps include all the clubs,” she said.
“The funds are fantastic; we can turn that $3000 into 6000 meals for those struggling to put food on the table in our region.
“We are purchasing more and more food at Foodbank to meet demand.
We have seen a huge increase in people, families, seeking assistance, we are not sure where it is going to end.
“Having more and more people, business, clubs onboard to support us locally to help feed local families is really appreciated.
“We put out over 500,000 meals into the Limestone Coast in the last 12 months and we cannot do that by ourselves, so support from the Community and groups like the soccer association is fantastic.
“We are very lucky to have a mixed group of service clubs in our town also, always supporting many charities.”
LCFA board member Frank Wilcox said he has seen the impact the cost of living is having on the local soccer clubs especially for families with more multiple children playing.
“We are trying to give back to the community wherever we can because it is community involvement that keeps soccer going.
We love to see the kid’s playing soccer, playing sport,” he said.
“With the rising cost of living going up and up and up, this is an essential for so many people.”
LCFA board member Bruno Vadori said he believes giving back to charity is a good message for not only the children but also the parents in the soccer community.
“A lot of people forget about things bigger than themselves, and we worry about a lot of things at home when we can see things are worse out of our households,” he said.
“If we can come together as a community and give a little bit back then all the better.
“We have given donations over the years to Foodbank, and we see the work they do.
Giving back money locally instead of nationally where the money will leave our region is a big thing as well.
“We will look at charities that are involved where the money is staying here locally for our people, our community, helping our people.
“Any chance that we are able to actually give something back, this is where we want to give back to our local charities.”
