A partnership of organisations has produced a memorial fund raising effort for REAP Food Rescue by OzHarvest.
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Headed by the Hastings Business Women’s Network, the goal of $10,000 was surprised with over $11,000 going back into the local community through REAP.
Committee organiser, Jane Hillsdon, said the night exceeded expectations with many local businesses donating auction items and giving their time to make the event a success.
The festive event took place under the stars in the beautiful courtyard of Charles Sturt University.
The Hastings Business Women’s Network (HBWN), Dragonfly Marketing, Charles Sturt University (CSU), XS Foods, SNAP and Port Macquarie Taxis organised and sponsored this year’s Reap & Sow event.
Local REAP Coordinator, Katrina Humble, was overjoyed by the outcome.
“We have an incredibly generous community who cares about their neighbours who need help,” said Ms Humble.
REAP Port Macquarie collects excess food from local food suppliers such as Coles, Grumpys, Bakers Delight, Woolworths and Pye Provedores. The fresh food is transported to the neighbourhood centres and soup kitchens who prepare and offer it to those who need it free of charge.
“The food we provide means children don’t go to school hungry and parents receive the support they need to get back on their feet.”
REAP Port Macquarie was the first regional food rescue chapter established in 2011 under the national organisation OzHarvest. There are now 16 locations across Australia with half of those locations providing support to regional communities.
“The $11,000 raised will help REAP Port Macquarie continue for the next 12 months and help deliver over 5000 more meals to people in the Hastings area. All our drivers are volunteers but there is still a huge expense to maintain the vans and pay for petrol,” added Ms Humble.
Reap and Sow 2016 united all areas of our community together for the night to raise money for a hard-working charity that benefits families in the Hastings region.