Community Festive Season Meals Grants Support Food Security in Greater Bendigo

Strategic Insights -

The City of Greater Bendigo has launched its Community Festive Season Meals Grants program, providing up to $2,000 in funding to community groups for festive meal events and food relief hampers during the December Christmas and New Year period. The grants aim to support food security, social inclusion, and stronger local community connections, particularly for residents experiencing financial hardship, social isolation, or exclusion. Community Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf emphasized the importance of these events, highlighting that they provide connection and companionship to those in need.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Community Festive Season Meals Grants program provides up to $2,000 in funding to community groups for festive meal events and food relief hampers in Greater Bendigo.
  • The grants aim to support food security, social inclusion, and stronger local community connections, especially for residents experiencing financial hardship, social isolation, or exclusion.
  • Applications for the grants are now open and will close on September 24, 2025, at 3pm.
  • Community Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf highlighted the importance of community meal events, stating that they provide connection and companionship to those in need during the festive season.
  • The grants are aimed at supporting local community connections, particularly in areas where other supports may be unavailable during the festive season.
  • Greater Bendigo Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf emphasized the commitment of volunteers and local businesses in supporting the grants program.
  • The program will run from December 1 to December 31, 2025, supporting a range of small, local activities across Greater Bendigo.

Statistics:

  • Up to $2,000 is available in funding for each community group through the Community Festive Season Meals Grants program.
  • The grants program aims to support food security, social inclusion, and stronger local community connections.
  • The program is open to community groups in Greater Bendigo, with applications closing on September 24, 2025, at 3pm.
  • Community Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf emphasized that the grants program will support a range of small, local activities across Greater Bendigo between December 1 and December 31, 2025.
  • Greater Bendigo has a robust community network, with many community groups working together to support residents in need during the festive season.

Sources:

  • New South Wales Ministerial News
  • MIL-OSI Publisher Source
  • New South Wales Ministerial News – updated article