Ulladulla Food Store, run from the Community Resources Centre, will be one of 10 beneficiaries from the 2016 Kidgeeridge Music Festival to be staged mid-month.
Each year Kidgeeridge donates to community organisations and has this year pledged a minimum $25 thousand to be spread among the 10.
Kidgeeridge gave the Food Store $2000 last year.
Up to 35 low income earners and pensioners are currently benefiting from cheap groceries and household goods twice a week from the Food Store, now set up as a tiny shop inside the Resources Centre.
“Numbers tend to drop off sometimes because clients are not sure where we are and need reminding,” said volunteer manager Rae Lalor, a driving force since day one.
From the food store’s start in 2012, the 75 original clients could buy 15 items for $15 or 30 items for $30 but greater need in 2016 - despite the fewer clientele - has prompted it to lower that threshold.
It trades cheap groceries and domestic goods to people receiving a payment from Centrelink or anyone holding a Pension, Aged or Health Care Card.
Now for an initial subscription of five dollars, clients can buy heavily cut-priced products and are also entitled each visit to take free fruit, vegetables and bread.
“The store buys boxes of fruit and veges and other groceries and supplies cheaply from FoodBank NSW and charges clients just enough to cover costs,” Rae Lalor said.
“The store buys... cheaply from FoodBank NSW and charges clients just enough to cover costs.”
- Rae Lalor
The store also stocks skin creams, soap and other bathroom products, tablecloths, limited glassware, jeans and shoes, kids’ hoodies, biscuits and lollies.
The store is open on Wednesday and Friday mornings from 9.30 to 11.30.
Kidgeeridge festival organiser Graham White says the funding each year is much needed and will go a long way this year to help the beneficiaries.
In addition to the food store, Kidgeeridge will donate to Friends of Jindelara, Lake Conjola Rural Fire Service, Milton Ulladulla Football Club, Sussex Inlet Football Club, St Johns Ambulance, Ulladulla Netball Club, Ulladulla Marine Rescue, Milton Show Society and Milton Pony Club.
It’s an annual feelgood quid pro quo.
Mr White said this year more than 100 volunteers from these organisations “will be at the festival to run everything from parking and the shuttle buses through to the bar and amenities smoothly, so everyone can have a amazing time”.
The 11th Kidgeeridge event will be staged at Milton Showground on April 22 and 23.
The line-up includes three-time ARIA award winner Dan Sultan, Aussie rockers Kingswood, The Black Sorrows, along with the Pierce brothers, the alt-country Adam Eckersley and rising star Benny Walker.
