Northern Star Resources Limited have committed to becoming Branch Partner for Foodbank Kalgoorlie for the next four years with the aim of increasing the local community’s access to food assistance.
Thanks to Northern Star Resources, the Kalgoorlie branch has been able to take valuable steps forward within the Goldfields & Esperance region, gaining a better understanding of the nature and need of food relief required, the barriers and complexities of the area, and to gain a better understanding the transient Indigenous communities which create a fluctuating population; to further the capability in meeting the demand for food relief within the region.
A key component of the new four year partnership is active participation in the Summer Response Strategy in Kalgoorlie, an initiative which is a social model involving organisations working together to address complex social issues, in liaison with the Goldfields Development Commission. This will see a portion of funds be dedicated to specific requirements such as food, water and hygiene packs, ensuring that the community have access to items that meet immediate needs.
Nutrition education is another important component that the partnership will help Foodbank Kalgoorlie to address, with many agencies in the region already enquiring about the nutrition education programs on offer. Foodbank Kalgoorlie will now be in a position to provide education which covers topics such as budgeting, nutritional content of foods and cooking meals which are all necessary in understanding a healthier and more affordable way of living.
The partnership is in addition to the ongoing support of Northern Star Resources which has allowed Foodbank Kalgoorlie to introduce a Mobile Foodbank service for those who struggle to find transport to visit the branch, whether be due to the increase in cost of petrol, language barriers, social stigma, or cultural intricacies; and now an expansion is planned for an increase of up to eight locations within three years. Four of these will be based locally and the others will be outreach communities.
Foodbank WA CEO, Kate O’Hara said, “Our relationship with Northern Star Resources Limited has assisted us in better understanding the unique challenges, and opportunities, within the Goldfields region for food relief delivery. Foodbank Kalgoorlie is the best positioned organisation within the food relief sector to overcome the barriers and complexities of the region and the various groups who depend on our service, with support from Northern Star Resources Limited. Collaboration is a key driver to our success.”
Foodbank Kalgoorlie provides more than 235,000 meals each year to those most in need in the area. This is made possible through their connection with 28 agency partners including Salvation Army, Centrecare, Goldfields Women’s Refuge, Bega, Anglicare WA and Yorgum Aboriginal Corporation, along with 34 schools to distribute nutritious food to individuals, families, and children across the region.
With increased meals provided by the branch, more mobile foodbank locations in Kalgoorlie and specific nutrition education, Foodbank Kalgoorlie will be best placed to deliver valuable food relief in the region for the foreseeable future.
