Stockland, together with the Stockland Gladstone team are proud to support the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal’s (FRRR) Tackling Tough Times Together grants program, which helps drought-affected communities access the resources they need to support one another. Stockland CARE Foundation’s donation to FRRR has helped fund a $37,500 grant to the Centre for Rural and Regional Indigenous Health for their Tucka-Time Program, which is designed to increase access to fresh produce and help improve nutrition for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander primary aged students in the Gladstone area.
Melena McKeown, spokesperson for the Centre for Rural and Regional Indigenous Health, said the success of the Tucka-Time program lay in its grassroots principle of collaborating with individual communities.
“We deliver a comprehensive health, wellbeing, nutrition and cooking program suitable for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of all ages, in either school or community settings,” she said.
The program has been enhanced with the addition of fruit and vegetables boxes, made available through a grant from the Stockland CARE Foundation.
McKeown continued, “Not only will these boxes introduce participants and their families to a variety of fruit and vegetables they may not have been previously exposed to, but it also helps boost local small businesses within rural and regional communities. This is a win-win situation for everyone.”
Amy Hogan, National Sustainability Manager at Stockland, said that they were proud to support such a worthy cause.
“We’re committed to helping communities to thrive. The Tucka-Time program will not only help those most vulnerable in the community, but also offers an educational component. Those participating can learn new things about health and nutrition, and then continue to practise these habits long after the program end for more sustainable living”, said Hogan.
Deanne Cavalier, Tackling Tough Times Together Program Manager at FRRR, said that the Tucka-Time program was a fantastic example of how local groups in drought-affected areas are doing great things to support their community and its people.
“Thanks to donor partners such as the Stockland CARE Foundation, FRRR is able to help local groups like Centre for Rural and Regional Indigenous Health as they work to tackle the ongoing challenges their community faces due to drought,” said Cavalier.
It is expected that more than 1,500 food boxes will be distributed to the 750 participants and their extended families enrolled in the program. The Tucka-Time program will be rolled out until December 2021.
In December 2019, Stockland donated $35,000 through its annual Christmas giving program to the FRRR. The following month, Stockland donated a further $500,000 to the FRRR and other charity organisations assisting with the immediate relief effort in affected communities, and contribute towards funding the significant recovery and rebuilding efforts which will be required by communities over the coming years.
