At The One Box, we believe the collective power of businesses and community organisations plays a pivotal role in helping local families experiencing hardship access nutritious, fresh food. Leading by example is Fosterville Gold Mine whose gracious endorsement of $25,000 allows for pre-packed boxes of fresh fruit, vegies and staples to be distributed to 87 families each week, across 5 schools in Bendigo, Victoria.
As a fresh food relief charity, we can see for ourselves that the demand for locally sourced, high-quality fruit and vegies continues to increase every day. The generous donation of businesses like Fosterville Gold Mine enables us to positively influence the health and wellbeing of families in Bendigo, especially in the current climate of rising living costs and other expenses. “We firmly believe that working together can create a brighter future for those facing challenges and are proud to be collaborating with our community to address food insecurity in the region”, shares the Fosterville Gold Mine team.
The key catalyst behind this initiative is Kerryn Phillips (Head of Student Wellbeing & Family Support) at California Gully P.S and Quarry Hill P.S. As a strong advocate of The One Box, Kerryn brought the program’s impact to the attention of local government and Fosterville Gold Mine. She expressed, “In a lucky country like Australia, it’s really sad that so many families can’t afford to put fresh and nutritious food on the table”.
Impact of The One Box Program
Rallying on behalf of the five schools, Kerryn highlights the lack of fresh food relief alternatives in the region. By partnering with The One Box, schools receive pre-packed fresh produce boxes that they can easily distribute to families in need. Independent research conducted by Monash Business School shows regular interactions between recipients and staff create a sense of trust and confidence in families and encourage them to be more involved in school activities. St Peter’s Primary School Wellbeing Co-ordinator Kristy Dupille said, “Having the program is a good way of checking in on families who need help. When you hand them a box, you can often have a good conversation with them and find out how they’re doing.”
Get Involved
With funding available until the end of the 2023 school year, these Bendigo schools need the support of more local businesses to assist and support these 87 families through 2024. Connect with us to discuss ways in which your organisation can make a difference.
