Moama Bowling Club is a recognisable sponsor of more than 80 sports teams, fundraisers and community groups in town, so to say its latest initiative is a big step must mean it truly is big.
Nourishing Hope will provide Echuca Neighbourhood House with valuable funds, the goal being $120,000, to continue the support it gives to the region.
For each main meal sold at the club over the next 12 months, $1 will be donated to ENH, with guests also encouraged to give generously during their visits.
It is the first fundraiser of its kind from the club, and sales and marketing manager George Santos said he was inspired to do something grand after hearing about ENH’s struggles to stay afloat.
“I was lucky enough to be on holiday ... when I opened up my iPad and that Friday’s Riv front page was that Echuca Neighbourhood House looked like closing because of lack of funding,” he said.
“We can’t have that happening.
“It’s such an amazing organisation that offers so much support. Without its presence, our community would be at a huge loss.”
Mr Santos organised a grant for ENH to keep it on its feet in the short term, but believes that a long-term partnership is a more sustainable option to support its services.
ENH provides various programs and services, including free lunches, pre-accredited courses, showers and clean clothes, technology support, social events, a food bank and no-interest loans.
“We have been providing (support) to some degree of the past probably 15 years, but we came up with the concept of Nourishing Hope,” Mr Santos said.
“It’s basically a concept, where every time our members and guests purchase a main meal at the club, the club will automatically donate $1.
“Customers aren’t paying more, but the club takes on the responsibility of sharing $1 ... no matter what day or time of the day, we will donate that money to Echuca Neighbourhood House.”
As for the ENH team members, they have been blown away to hear about the club’s commitment.
Manager Sarah Peake explained the growing need for services, including the food bank, which the organisation has supported since 2018, providing support during COVID-19, the floods and the current cost-of-living crisis.
“The numbers of people accessing the food bank just keep increasing week-to-week,” she said.
“The Nourishing Hope concept is just an absolutely fantastic initiative that is going to keep us securely running the program ongoing for at least 12 months.
“For myself personally it gave me a big sigh of relief ... everyone was just completely overwhelmed when we got the news. It’s given everyone a real boost.”
Ms Peake is planning for some of the funds to go towards a coolroom, providing more space for cold and frozen goods donated to the food bank.
This could also support more pre-made meals, a necessity for many of the individuals who rely on ENH and may not have access to a kitchen or the capacity to cook meals.
The initiative will also see QR codes added to the club’s menus, advertising and social media, and encouragement from staff for guests to donate.
Mr Santos hopes the community will go a step further and contribute more to ENH.
“Each person who scans that code will be able to donate directly to the cause,” he said.
“When our guests are purchasing a meal at the club, they can add on (a donation). They just need to tell us and we’ll push a button.
“Every time a button is pushed, a dollar will be donated.”
President Trevor Crane has emphasised the importance of every donation to keep ENH operating to the best of its ability.
“We are a very reputable organisation, and we provide a very needed service in the community,” he said.
“We’re grateful for any donations we can get.”
The Nourishing Hope initiative has been designed so that other businesses and organisations in town can also provide support to ENH.
Mr Santos has encouraged people in a position to help on a longer-term basis, such as through consistent donations of goods or time, to reach out to the club.
“There are so many other great organisations in town that we would like to see involved as well,” he said.
“They’ve only got to ask us how they can help, and we can direct them.
“There are a number of projects they’d like to take on, so we’re calling on trades, for example, to offer their assistance or businesses that can assist with physical goods.
“They couldn’t go to a better cause.”