A donation to the Financial Hardship Fund will help support local families doing it tough in the following three ways:  through the Back to School voucher program and School Relief Funds at all the schools in our local district (that is, Thorpdale, Narracan, Boolarra, Yinnar, Yinnar South and Mirboo North Primary Schools as well as Mirboo North Secondary College) and through providing funds for food distributed by Hope N Help to local families and individuals.

Back to School Vouchers are vouchers from Kmart to the value of $50 which are distributed to families by each school’s welfare team.  This program aims to ensure that all kids start the school year with the things that others take for granted – uniform, school bags, shoes etc.  The voucher approach means that the families can meet their own particular needs.  This program which was operated by the Foundation for Regional and Rural Renewal for 20 years, is now funded locally by our Community Foundation.

Similarly the Community Foundation works with each school to put in place funds that their welfare team can use to cover incidental expenses that families may not be able to afford – camps, excursions, extra uniform etc, as well as supporting families in crisis.  These funds ensure that all of our students can access the same educational opportunities.

Finally, the Hope N Help group distribute food hampers every second week to families and individuals in our district.   Lots of the food in these hampers come from donations by local businesses, farmers and churches, but there are items that Hope N Help needs to purchase from Food Bank Australia.  In addition, Hope N Help find there is a need for toiletries and personal items as well as food, which they try to meet.