As social distancing rules have now been in effect in Australia for a month, St Ives Shopping Village is offering some much needed local community support to assist the elderly, young children and families who have been hit particularly hard as well as front line workers who have been working around the clock to protect the local community. The centre has launched its ‘Love Local’ campaign on the 27 April, gifting three hampers weekly, to those in need.
Until the 30th June, customers and retailers can nominate someone they know experiencing difficulties, or who they feel deserve cheering up, for a chance to receive a hamper that is delivered directly to their door.
“This is a very difficult and challenging time, gifting hampers to those who need it most is St Ives Shopping Village’s small way of supporting our local community, saying thank you, we appreciate you and are thinking of you;’ says Melanie Scarf, Marketing Manager, St Ives Shopping Village.
“This person may be a health care worker, an elderly person who needs their spirits lifted or a family in need. One health care worker will be included as one of the three chosen locals each week to say thank you,” said Scarf.
The nominated individual must be a member of the Ku-ring-gai area and nominations will be accepted via the St Ives Shopping Village website. Hampers will be a combination of products made up from St Ives Village retailers and will be customised according to the winners needs and interests.
Additionally, Harris Farm at St Ives Shopping Village will be packing and distributing 80-100 boxes of fresh fruit and vegetables each day to local charities.
Harris Farm at St Ives Shopping Village have also launched their own initiative donating fresh fruit and vegetables every day to local charities in need. Michele Bell from Ku-ring-gai Neighbourhood Centre and Alistair Henskens, Member for Ku-ring-gai, have coordinated a team of students from Knox, Abbotsleigh, Barker, Pymble Ladies College, Ravenswood and Loreto Normanhurst to pack and distribute 80-100 boxes each day.
“Charities are seeing an influx in requests for help at this time, these donations from Harris Farm and St Ives Shopping Village will save many of our local charities, we are all extremely grateful for the kindness and selflessness shown by students and the local community at St Ives Shopping Village” said Bell.
Local charities including Fusion, Meals on Wheels, Hornsby Connect, and a number of churches will receive the fresh fruit and vegetable deliveries on a rotation basis.
A hub of the local community, St Ives Shopping Village has 110 specialty stores and hosts countless community events and activities each year, including the free kids activities, workshops, Ku-Ring-Gai Art Society Exhibitions and local school art exhibitions.
St Ives Shopping Village has provided a spare shop to allow for the packing to take place. The centre is a privately-owned and run shopping centre on Sydney’s North Shore.
