Logan locals needing a helping hand are being shown how to whip up healthy meals in a commercial kitchen thanks to the Palaszczuk Government’s Dignity First Fund.
Minister for Housing and Public Works Mick de Brenni visited budding home cooks at ADRA in Woodridge, where cooking classes are taking place over ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾lessness Week (August 4 – 10).
“The Dignity First Fund provides for people who really need it, when they really need it,” Mr de Brenni said.
“It supports new and innovative ideas that prevent and reduce homelessness and help people experiencing homelessness to live with dignity.
“ADRA received $74,006 through the Dignity First Fund to install a new commercial kitchen with cooktops and modern appliances.
“This week, the organisation is working in partnership with Logan Housing Service Centre to deliver cooking classes that incorporate food parcel ingredients.
“These classes will not only create tasty dishes but help build useful skills for those who need it most.
Manager of ADRA Logan, Henk La Dru, said the cooking classes were making a positive impact in the Logan community.
“Our new kitchen would not have been possible without the Dignity First Fund,” he said.
“We now have a purpose-built area to deliver our ‘Out of the box’ cooking program, which teaches people lifelong kitchen skills.
“We are showing people how to create tasty low or no sugar desserts, stir-fries with little or no oil and delicious plant-based meals – making healthy food that everyone can enjoy.”
The Palaszczuk Government has invested $7.5 million into Dignity First Fund projects since 2016, including mobile outreach services, food trucks, community kitchen upgrades, drop-in centres and backpacks containing essential supplies.
Mr de Brenni said the 2019 ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾lessness Week recognises that ‘Housing Ends ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾lessness’.
“In line with this theme, we are investing $150 million over the five years to 2022 to build 492 new social homes in the Logan/Redlands area,” he said.
“This is part of our $1.8 billion Queensland Housing Strategy, which is redefining how the Palaszczuk Government delivers social and affordable housing, providing innovative housing design to meet contemporary housing needs, urban renewal and new jobs.”
