PLAYFORD Council has recommitted to offering financial support to the Playford Community Fund, after the Federal Government halved its support for the initiative earlier this year.
At council’s February meeting last Tuesday, elected members voted unanimously to provide the fund with $34,000, plus GST, per annum for the next three years.
Council has offered financial support to the initiative, which has been operating for 26 years, every year since 2000.
The most recent funding agreement ended on June 30, 2018, which was for $26,650 per year.
Operating out of the Elizabeth City Centre shopping complex, the fund distributes food, vouchers for shoes and clothing, financial assistance, furniture, whitegoods and bedding to people doing it tough in the region, including women and families fleeing domestic and family violence.
It is fully staffed by 50 volunteers and supports around 8000 people annually, with demand for the fund’s services jumping by 20 per cent in the 2019/19 financial year.
According to a letter from the fund to the council, the Federal Government slashed its funding to the charity by 50 per cent, from $215,000 to $107,500, on January 1, which will remain unchanged for the next four years.
“This reduced amount is what our fund currently spends on food and food vouchers alone,” the letter read.
“Without council support we will be unable to remain in the Elizabeth City Centre and this will impact on our ability to continue providing the services clients’ need.
“Reduced funding will also negatively impact on the amount and diversity of food we offer, as we must cover our rent and utility costs.”
The fund currently rents three buildings, its shopfront at the Elizabeth City Centre, a workshop for making furniture to give to customers at Coventry Road, Munno Para and a storage shed on Figsbury Street, Elizabeth North. The latter two are leased from the council at a ‘peppercorn’ rate.
A local food manufacturer also supports the group with donations worth around $20,000 per year, and another $20,000 worth of timber for furniture manufacturing is provided by another local business.
The fund also received written support for its funding bid from Member for Elizabeth Lee Odenwalder, Member for Taylor Jon Gee and the Northern Domestic Violence Service.
The renewed funds are to be drawn from the council’s community development budget.
A council staff report tabled at last Tuesday’s meeting recommended continuing offering financial support, stating it would help the group meet community needs.
“Council has provided support to the fund for more than 20 years,” the report read.
“This option would see this support continue and provide some financial stability to remain at their Elizabeth CBD location for three years.”
