LEETON residents will benefit from a move from the Prime Minister to boost the government’s food relief budget.
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It was announced on Tuesday Prime Minister Scott Morrison had increased funding for its food relief budget by $1.5 million over the next four-and-a-half years.
Foodbank was facing the prospect of cutting services for the needy after it was told about a redistribution of the relief budget, which amounted to a funding cut of more than $250,000 a year.
The news has been met with relief by the Salvation Army in Leeton, who relies on Foodbank to supply the majority of its food and goods at its food hall.
Since April the organisation has been offering a food hall where residents can come twice a week during allocated hours to select items of food they may need for as little as $5 or $10.
For that low price residents can receive all manner of items, including staples, ingredients for home-cooked meals and even the odd treat or two.
If they were going to get less funding we were thinking we might have to stop the service, but now we won’t have to.
- Leeton Salvation Army Captain Wendy-Sue Swann
Leeton Salvation Army captain Wendy-Sue Swann was pleased to hear the news of the reversal in funding from the government.
“We were certainly quite worried when we found out that the government was proposing to cut funding for Foodbank,” she said.
“So to hear now that they’ve changed their mind and increased it is great.
“About 90 per cent of the food we offer at the food hall for those living in our area comes from Foodbank.
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“They are great supporters of ours and we wouldn’t be able to offer this service without them.
“If they were going to get less funding we were thinking we might have to stop the service, but now we won’t have to.”
A person visiting the food hall in Leeton selects what they would like for their $5 or $10, which is then packed up by the Salvation Army while they sit and enjoy some morning or afternoon tea. Items such as bread and fruit and vegetables are free.
Mr Morrison has also asked Social Services Minister Paul Fletcher to place more focus on delivering food relief in drought-affected areas.
"(It is) important that food relief in drought areas is delivered in a way that does not undercut local businesses,” the Prime Minister said.
“(The) minister will work with providers to get the right plan in place.”
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