A grant to combat food insecurity has been given to The One Box to help families in Sunshine.
Awarded by Sunshine Marketplace’s Vicinity Community Grants program, the $9000 funding will go towards fresh produce being given out to families in need throughout Brimbank.
Brand manager Anna Savva said with a long waitlist of schools to assist, the funding will help them enormously to serve the growing needs of the community.
“At The One Box, our mission is to ensure as many people as possible have access to fresh, nutritious food. With an extensive waitlist of 80 schools, we prioritise supporting communities with the greatest need,” she said.
“Brimbank is home to many residents working in lower-paying jobs, affecting their financial stability and increasing economic stress. In turn, this limits their access to essential resources, including healthcare. Additionally, the area has a high number of immigrants and refugees who are striving to establish themselves economically, often facing additional barriers. We have seen demand increasing across the board, and we are currently servicing eight schools in Brimbank, including Sunshine Harvester Primary School.
“Our fresh high quality produce boxes aim to alleviate some of the economic pressures these families face. Independent research by Monash Business School shows reliable fresh food relief has fundamental benefits beyond financial or nutritional benefits – building community connection and trust, inclusion and dignity, and greater family wellbeing, which is exactly what these families need to get back on their feet.”
Sunshine Marketplace centre manager Chris Holmes said they were “looking forward to seeing how this grant will help support them and are excited to be able to continue to build stronger connections with important community groups.”
First launched in 2023, Vicinity Community Grants is focused on four key areas: youth engagement and employment, environment, education, and community well-being.
