City of Sydney unveils new grants to assist food relief programs

By JUSTIN COOPER.

A new $4.5 million grants program has been unveiled by City Of Sydney Council, aiming to support local food relief services and their increased demand during the ongoing economic crisis.

With applications opening on Wednesday, the new Food Support Grant will provide Sydney-centralised food relief organisations additional funding to provide their services and maintain operations.

In announcing the grants, Lord Mayor Clover Moore explains the additional funds will help organisations address the increasing demand for food relief and “facilitate [their] important work.”

“Many in our community, particularly vulnerable people, struggled to afford food for the first time during the pandemic,” says Moore.

“As people struggle to pay their bills amid the cost of living crisis, they are forgoing food in order to pay for housing, health and heating.”

Moore expressed that food organisations have been stretched, needing to keep up with the exceeding demand, transport, storage and equipment for their services to function – pointing at the necessity of the grant program.

Considering “the heartbreaking reality,” Moore expressed the need for further levels of government to provide financial support to exhausted anti-poverty programs.

“We call on the State and Federal Governments to step up and join us in providing urgent and ongoing financial support to support food relief organisations,” says Moore.

Responding to increasing concerns

The new program follows a Council Minute by the Lord Mayor from June, highlighting the increasing food insecurity amongst the LGA. Both the minute and subsequent motion was supported unanimously by council.

Deputy Mayor, Sylvie Ellsmore, spoke with City Hub on the significance of the grant during the current economic crisis.

“We have seen a radical jump in the number of people seeking support from food programs in the City, with demand increasing as much as 3 or 5 times more than even during the COVID shutdown,” Ellsmore explains.

“Rents have gone up an average of 25% in one year in our local government area, and projected to keep going up, so even more people will be struggling to afford the basics like food.”

Ellsmore explains both the increase in food and housing has been effecting many locals. This has included regular shift workers, including nurses who a delegate of organisations pointed out to council during last months meeting.

“We encourage applications from grassroots organisations, food co-ops and mutual aid organisations that are operating in the City,” says Ellsmore.

“We want the money to get out to the community quickly,” Ellsmore continued, urging suitable applicants to apply before September 20th, 2023.

Applications available

City Hub spoke with a City of Sydney spokesperson, who detailed the two-tier project support which will be provided under the grant. Small and Large scaled projects will be available for the grants, with small scale grants being provided

Approved small scale projects will be able to receive funding up to $250,000 per year, for up to three years. Similarly, Larger projects would be able to revive up to $750,000 per year – council requests those seeking larger project funding are to consult with their grants team.

Applicants will be assessed on their capacity and experience, along within their programs connection to the community and outcomes.

Further considerations to applicants who support diverse communities, including programs which are  specifically assisting Indigenous communities, women, LGBTQI+ communities and other vulnerable demographics.

“Grant recommendations will be taken to Council for approval in October with projects to start from November 2023,” explains the City of Sydney spokesperson.