Malice

8 | Wet Tropic Times

COMMUNITY Get ‘School Savy’ with firstever Pop-Up Shop in Innisfail

MARIA GIRGENTI

CENTACARE FNQ and the inaugural Innisfail School Savy program have received a financial boost as a $500 CommBank Community Donation recipient.

The program also received an injection of $10,000, as Centacare FNQ received a CommBank Staff Foundation, Community Grant.

CommBank Innisfail branch and employees nominated the organisation to recognise the Innisfail School Savy initiative launched in August 2021.

Since 1917, CommBank employees have supported Australian youth through their workplace giving program and community grants.

Primary and secondary schools in the Cassowary Coast region jumped on board by hosting School Savy bins and registering as drop-off points for donation items.

School Savvy, an initiative of Centacare FNQ, provides easy access to school uniforms and school supplies for families struggling financially before the start of the school year.

The first-ever School Savvy Appeal launch took place in 2016 as part of Anti-Poverty Week.

The community responded well with donations of pre-loved stationery items and school uniforms for a pop-up shop in early January 2017.

Families on a low income may find the start of each new school year a costly and stressful time.

Estimates indicate poverty affects over 17% of children in Australia, with more than 30% of adults recognised as being in poverty, relying on wages as their primary income.

It is incredibly challenging for families to buy new school uniforms for one, two, three or more children and textbooks and school supplies, especially just after Christmas.

Last November, Pacific Toyota Cairns, longtime supporters of Centacare’s School Savy FNQ program, provided a new Toyota Hiace van to enable volunteers to transport donations from contributors in the community.

In 2021, Centacare FNQ’s School Savy initiative supported 1,202 children from 591 families to get back to school, with uniforms, basic school supplies needed to start the new school year, as well as 124 haircuts.

School Savvy could not run without the support of local organisations, including significant partner, St Vincent de Paul Society. They provide a range of invaluable services and assistance.

“On a local level, we’re proud to have our nomination approved and thrilled to be able to support this fantastic new School Savy Innisfail initiative.

After it was delayed by two weeks due to the emerging health concerns of COVID-19, Innisfail’s firstever School Savy Pop-Up Shop will run on Wednesday,

Innisfail CommBank manager Kirsty Magill (left) presented a $500 CommBank Community Donation to Danielle Fischer from Centacare FNQ/School Savy Project Coordinator.

February 2 and Thursday, February 3 between 10.00 am - 2.00 pm at the Shire Hall.

On offer will be free haircuts, second-hand uniforms and school items for a gold coin donation, including pencil cases for primary and secondary students, dictionaries, exercise books, notebooks, lunch boxes, backpacks, as well as scientific calculators for secondary students.

Ingham Meals On Wheels - Roster February 2022 Tully Meals On Wheels - Roster February 2022

Wednesday 2

Kitchen: B Carne, L&K Elliott, J Hutcheson, V Hebbard, M Spina Driver/Delivery: S Murdoch & P Murdoch, D Marbelli & E Mcveigh, P Robino & R Radel Friday 4

Kitchen: B Carne, L&K Elliott, R Marshall, J Hutcheson, M Cominardi, Driver/Delivery: C Carey & R Radel, A Lynch & M Moore, M & H Matthews, W Ashley Monday 7

Kitchen: R Phillips, B Carne, L&K Elliott, R Marshall, J Hutcheson, S Kemp Driver/Delivery: J Stokes, V Cutting & M Bandiera, L La Spina & P Robino, D Hatfield Wednesday 9

Kitchen: B Carne, L&K Elliott, J Hutcheson, M Girgenti Driver/Delivery: L Sartor & C Bain, Rotary, C Mcleod & R Radel Friday 11

Kitchen: B Carne, L&K Elliott, R Marshall, J Hutcheson Driver/Delivery: P Robino & R Radel, F & J Boon, J Armstrong & Y Oakes, W Ashley Monday 14

Kitchen: R Phillips, B Carne, L&K Elliott, R Marshall, J Hutcheson, S Kemp Driver/Delivery: J Henderson, E & S Lenti, I Merritt & C Carey, P Robino & R Radel, D Hatfield Wednesday 16

Kitchen:- B Carne, L&K Elliott, J Hutcheson, L Castles Driver/Delivery: L Castles & R Guazzo, E Huddy & R Swarbrick, T Contarino & J Schifilliti Friday 18

Kitchen: B Carne, L&K Elliott, R Marshall, J Hutcheson Driver/Deliver: L Sartor & P Robino, D Girgenti & Z Kannakis, Hsc, W Ashley Monday 21

Kitchen: R Phillips, B Carne, L&K Elliott, R Marshall, J Hutcheson, S Kemp Driver/Delivery: R & S Vandkerkerwyk, A Lynch & M Moore, V Cutting & M Bandiera, S Rutherford & J Hardwick, D Hatfield Wednesday 23

Kitchen:- B Carne, L&K Elliott, J Hutcheson, D Hatfield Driver/Delivery: Rotary, E Huddy & R Swarbrick, P Robino & R Radel Friday 25

Kitchen: B Carne, L&K Elliott, R Marshall, J Hutcheson, M Cominardi Driver/Delivery: Keita Services, C Carey & C Bishop, R Radel & P Robino, J Armstrong & Y Oakes, W Ashley Monday 28

Kitchen: R Phillips, B Carne, L&K Elliott, R Marshall, J Hutcheson, B Craissel Driver/Delivery: R Leach, R Phillips & L Mcgrath, B Molachina & A Kemp, G & G Cockrell, D Hatfield

Wednesday 2

Jan Pease Marilyn Weigand Carol Carstensen

Dina and Lou Campagnolo Lyn & Neil Reardon

Friday 4

Marilyn Weigand Carol Carstensen Anita Stapley Kate Henry Pam Cridland Gordan Williams Avis Ray

Monday 7

Chrissy Argyros Carol Carstensen Marilyn Weigand Terry Ryan Bruno Barra Ken Blair Judy Hood

Wednesday 9

Jan Pease Carol Carstensen Marilyn Weigand Jill Mackay Debbie Pennisi Chris

& Kath Littlemore

Friday 11

Carol Carstensen Marilyn Weigand Sue Robson

Marilyn Weigand Renata Viero

Monday 14

Chrissy Argyros Carol Carstensen Marilyn Weigand Veronica Lizzio Lyn Miller Chris & Peter Mclean

Wednesday 16

Jan Pease Carol Carstensen Marilyn Weigand Janette Evans Josie Pease Trish Lardi Loui Crema

Friday 18

Marilyn Weigand Carol Carstensen Trish Lardi Mary Bacic Pam Cridland Marilyn Weigand Viena Morris

Monday 21

Marilyn Weigand Carol Carstensen Chrissy Argyros Mary McDonald Karen Edwards Roy Favier Sam Pappalardo

Wednesday 23

Jan Pease Carol Carstensen Marilyn Weigand Anne Pacey Loraine Cargnello Joan Mercer Bob Wellington

Friday 25

Marilyn Weigand Carol Carstensen Anita Stapley Leslee Marker Julie Jordan Leonie Barra Donuta Mullaly

Monday 28

Chrissy Argyros Carol Carstensen Marilyn Weigand Lisa LaSpina Margaret Schafer Sue Robson Carol Carstensen