4Cs fund-raising co-ordinator Jack Mitchell and Cardinia Shire Councillor Stuart Halligan are seeking community donations to fit-out the charity’s new home. 41306 Picture: Stewart Chambers
By Jade Lawton
CARDINIA Shire residents went above and beyond the 4000 cans 4 4Cs challenge – but the charity still needs your help.
In December, locals donated more than 7000 cans to the food bank so that struggling Cardinia Shire residents could enjoy food on their Christmas table.
Now, the Cardinia Combined Churches Caring (4Cs) needs to raise $100,000 in cash and kind to fit out its new Pakenham headquarters, a 560 square metre factory behind the La Porchetta restaurant.
Fund-raising co-ordinator Jack Mitchell has implored local residents and businesses to donate whatever they can so that the charity can open its new doors in early April.
The charity is seeking money, trade prices on building materials, and volunteers to assist with the fit-out, which includes private offices for welfare workers and financial advisors, a training kitchen for basic cooking lessons, a loading bay and cool room.
Mr Mitchell said the new facility, nearly four times the current shopfront, would allow the hard working volunteers to assist more people.
“Believe it or not, there are some people who can’t cook pasta or rice,” Mr Mitchell said.
“At the moment they can tell them how to do it, but soon they will be able to show them how to do it.”
4Cs Director Jeni Mathieson said all help would be welcome.
“Even if someone can think of one small thing, anything at all, that’s one small thing that we don’t have to buy,” she said.
“If someone wanted to sponsor an office, I’m open to that and we can maybe name that room after their business.”
Mr Mitchell said all donations would be acknowledged and all donors would be invited to the grand opening to see the final result.
Donations greater than $2 are tax deductible.
About 400 people visited the cramped Main Street office seeking food, financial assistance and crisis housing every week last year, a 70 per cent increase on 2008 figures.
Contact Jack Mitchell on 0417 035 201.
