Shining a light on food relief in Macarthur
Wests Group Macarthur has announced an increase in its commitment to local organisation Shining Stars, awarding the organisation $20,000 in community investment via ClubGRANTS to support its emergency food relief pantry and outreach services in the Macarthur region.
Macarthur families are feeling the pinch amidst the rising cost of living, which is a combination of higher interest rates, increased weekly rental payments and growing grocery bills, with Shining Stars seeing a broader range of people come to the service for support in recent months.
“We’re seeing more professionals and families reaching out for support from our services because even with two incomes, many people are still struggling to make ends meet. The funding from Wests will make a huge impact in our ability to continue to support people in Macarthur as the demand for our outreach services only continues to grow ” says Shining Stars Co-founder Kylee Bentham.
Co-Founders Lyn and Kylee are supported by a team of volunteers, cooks and outreach workers who deliver services to the most vulnerable in the region.
Daniel Perkiss, CEO of Wests Group Macarthur comments “At Wests, we strongly believe in empowering our incredible community partners to deliver what’s needed, when people need it. Shining Stars do an exceptional job of supporting both individuals and families with a hot meal on the table and food to last the week. We are pleased to contribute to their work in the community.”
Members of Wests Group Macarthur venues are also invited to support Shining Stars through the contribution of non-perishable pantry Items in the 2023 Wests Hamper Drive. The Food collection initiative is encouraging donations of long life, tinned and basic pantry food items to be used in take home hampers and food preparation to support the Shining Stars outreach program. Food Donation Boxes will be available in reception of Wests League Club until September 17th for the community to contribute.
Shining Stars Foundation is a non for profit that focuses on the less fortunate, homelessness and disabilities offering outreach and community participation programs across Macarthur, Liverpool, Camden, Wollondilly, and Wollongong with the aim of making a difference to those desperately in need.
Wests Group Macarthur are collecting non-perishable donations to help local families in need.
Shining Stars current outreach services include:
Monday Services
- Claymore Community Centre Outreach 12pm
- Rosemeadow community support
Friday Services
- Wollondilly outreach 4pm
- Campbelltown Outreach 30pm
- Camden community support weekly
- Oran Park Outreach 4pm
- Liverpool Outreach 5pm
- Warragamba community support
- Cabramatta Outreach 5.30pm
Saturday Service
- Wollongong Outreach 30am
Shining Stars also offer weekly community Hamper support for emergency food securities to people and families who find themselves struggling.
As the Shining Stars mantra goes “Together we Make a Difference”. For more information on Shining Stars Foundation visit https://shiningstarsfoundation.org.au/
