Bendigo community delivers a remarkable 420KG food haul for families in need

The Bendigo community have rallied together to deliver a remarkable donation haul as part of a food and toy drive led by Bendigo pool operators Belgravia Leisure.

Across five Belgravia Leisure sites in the City of Greater Bendigo, a total of 420kg of food and 202 toys were collected on behalf of donation drive partners Bendigo Foodshare and Anglicare Bendigo.

Belgravia Leisure’s Bendigo Community Engagement Coordinator, Jayden Cowling, said the high usage and locations  of their five aquatic sites throughout Greater Bendigo made the operators the perfect community partner for a Christmas campaign.
 
“In December we average over 50,000 visitors across our five sites in Bendigo, and given our connection with the local community it made sense to partner with two amazing local organisations to try to make a challenging Christmas a little more enjoyable for some,” said Cowling.
 
“We know it has been a tough year for many members of our local community, so we’re delighted to have played a small part in making their Christmas period a little more enjoyable.”

Bendigo Foodshare Marketing and Fundraising Officer, Toni Hastie, said the organisation was extremely grateful for the generosity shown by members and casual users of the five Belgravia Leisure facilities and the donations would ensure over 840 meals were provided to those in need this Christmas.

“In challenging times for all with the cost of living increasing each day, we are blown away by everyone’s support”, said Hastie.

“Bendigo Foodshare supports food relief for northern and central Victoria to ensure those who are struggling are provided with adequate food supplies.”

“All of the food donations collected at Belgravia Leisure centres will help hundreds of families have an extra special Christmas.”

Anglicare Victoria Regional Director, Michael Oerlemans, said the organisation was overwhelmed with the support from the greater Bendigo community.

“Christmas can be tough if you’re struggling to buy presents or put food on the table, and many households are feeling the squeeze this year with growing costs of living,” said Oerlemans.

“Anglicare Victoria would like to extend a big thank you to all those who dug deep and donated. The response has been wonderful and it is this generosity in our local community, alongside the Belgravia Leisure venues and all our major donors, which will help make this season a little more special for families and young people in our region.”

“It’s been a real community effort.”