Kariong Neighbourhood Centre (KNC) will soon have a new van, thanks to a $47,250 grant from the State Government’s Community Building Partnerships (CBP) program.
The new van will allow centre staff to pick up more food for their food relief program, help those fleeing domestic violence situations move their belongings and meet more community needs.
KNC general manager, Trish Bramble, said neighbourhood centres are imperative for new residents.
“We need to make sure the community knows about what we can offer to them,” she said.
“For us the funding will mean we can pick up more donations and we can also support the community when they need things picked up – essentially it just means we can deliver more support.
“We have applied for this grant over the last three years and we are so excited to have been successful this time – unfortunately we’ve seen a lot of growth in the number of people needing support in our community and this funding will mean we can be one step closer to meeting their needs.”
KNC offers a wide range of programs including Active Playgroup, Pilates for Seniors, the Over 50s Friendship Group, Tai Chi, the Kariong Out of School Hours Care Service and Vacation Care program.
It also offers the Be Connected program which enables free computer lessons for seniors and people with disabilities and the Food Relief Program where a $5 donation will give those in need some food supplies.
Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch, dropped into the centre to present the funding.
“KNC have done their very best to accommodate the community during a time of increased needs,” Tesch said.
“Increasingly due to the impact of COVID-19 community, members are struggling to meet their day to day expenses as they lose their jobs and are forced to move back in with their parents or further north to afford housing.
“Our community is still reeling from COVID-19 and every step of the way KNC have stepped in for the community, trying their very best to ensure people can afford to feed their families and have support in their time of need.
“KNC and all the volunteers do so much incredible work for our community and are always thinking of ways to offer more support … I cannot wait to see KNC, and the community as a whole, thrive and for the van to be put to use.”
Terry Collins