Armidale Regional Council is providing funding for Armidale Meals on Wheels to establish an educational café program.
Armidale Meals on Wheels will receive $26,458 for its new Links and Learning Café project as part of the Stronger Communities Fund.
The funding is a one-off allocation by the State Government provided to Councils that have undertaken mergers in NSW.
Clubs and organisations in Armidale Regional Council local government area have been able to apply for grants of up to $50,000.
Armidale Meals on Wheels already provides an invaluable service by delivering nutritious meals to over 255 clients and many community organisations.
The new café project will provide food and support to many more of the community’s most vulnerable and financially disadvantaged individuals through a partnership with REAP @ Oz Harvest, Pathfinders and the Ascent Group.
“The Links and Learning Café will enable the organisation to commence training and community food programs including cooking and nutrition classes for disengaged youth, vulnerable groups and disability clients,” said Administrator Dr Ian Tiley.
“The project, which will utilise a building at the Armidale Showgrounds, will engage with marginalised young people and assist with a periodic lunch for homeless people incorporating sessions with relevant support organisations.
“It will encourage healthy eating habits while providing a safe space for social engagement where the community’s most vulnerable can feel welcome.”
Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall said Links and Learning sounded like a wonderful project.
“Meals on Wheels do a terrific job serving the community of Armidale and this project takes it to a new level,” said Mr Marshall.
“I’ve never seen anything like this in Armidale and it really looks like a project that will allow Meals on Wheels to enhance what they do – and the people they help in our community.
“The fact we have a number of project partners makes it all the more valuable, there’s food being donated and helping in those ways socially and environmentally, but also while our youth unemployment is no worse than most other regional areas, it will obviously help address some of that jobless sector and our homeless.”
“Council is keen to be able to support worthwhile community projects which bring long-term lasting benefits,” said Dr Tiley.
“The Armidale Meals on Wheels project is especially deserving of support.”
