The Cobram Community House has received critical state government funding to continue its mission of supporting the community.
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The $16,800 grant, announced on Tuesday, January 7, would go towards a range of programs at the house, manager Christine Osborne said.
“I think this is an important program to support our mission to support vulnerable people and those facing food insecurity, and really complements the other services we provide,” she said.
How the funding would be allocated would depend on the needs of the community, Mrs Osborne said, although the priority would be on providing those in need with frozen meals, stocking the house’s share table with nutritional food items, and running cooking workshops.
Purchasing a new microwave and community barbecue for the house is also on the to-do list.
Mrs Osborne said the house would work closely with nearby service providers, such as Moira FoodShare, to understand how it could best support the community with the funding.
“There will also be specific supports for people experiencing homelessness,” Mrs Osborne said.
“We’ll be having some equipment and food available to them.”
State member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes said the grants would deliver much-needed food relief to those who needed it, and provide a helping hand for Victorians in need so they could get back on their feet.
“We know our wonderful community organisations have the local knowledge and connections to best understand and respond to local needs, and to provide food relief where it’s needed most,” Ms Symes said.
Cobram Community House, which celebrated 40 years last November, is one of several organisations to receive a share of the funding, including the Numurkah Commununity Learning Centre and the Yarrawonga Mulwala Community & Learning Centre.
The house recently received two additional grants from Carers Victoria and the Federal Government, both of which will support programs to improve the wellbeing of unpaid carers and enhancing cyber security literacy in 2025.
Amid cost-of-living pressures on families and individuals, the grants are aimed at boosting the capacity of local organisations to deliver programs that address the underlying causes of food insecurity.
To find out more about the Cobram Community House’s workshops and programs, like them on Facebook at tinyurl.com/3f7mh34d or call on 5872 2224.