A total of 80 Northern Rivers based community organisations have received $720,000 through CommBank's Flood Relief Fund to help ongoing recovery efforts following the catastrophic floods earlier this year.
This forms part of the bank's Flood Relief Grants program which has provided $2 million to support more than 200 community organisations and not-for-profits directly involved in the East Coast flood relief and recovery efforts.
Commonwealth Bank Executive General Manager of Regional and Agribusiness Paul Fowler said: "As well as supporting our customers who have been directly impacted by the floods, we also understand the important role community organisations play in helping their local area. I'm pleased we've been able to allocate more than $700,000 to organisations based in Lismore and the Northern Rivers region to help with the community rebuild."
CBA is also sponsoring this year's annual Lismore Lantern Parade on 25June, which will honour and thank all those who helped the community in the flood response and clean-up efforts.
"The theme for this year's parade is 'Our Healing Hearts' which is particularly poignant and I hope it provides an opportunity to come together, celebrate the Lismore community and provide a sense of optimism for the future."
Prior to the parade, Lismore's CBD will come alive with the 'Market DeLight' - an event that provides attendees with the opportunity to enjoy food and entertainment and support local businesses. CommBank is teaming up with Cricket New South Wales to host a cricket clinic near the CommBank Marquee.
"We know the effects of this year's floods will continue to be felt for some time and the event will be an important show of support for a community that has been through so much. I encourage anyone thinking about ways to continue supporting Lismore and surrounding areas, to join the festivities and help support the local community."
Mr Fowler said CommBank customers had done a great job showing their support through the CanGive Flood Appeal which combined with dollar matching from CommBank, raised an additional $2.8 million.
"In addition to the grant program, we ran a flood appeal through the CommBank app and we dollar-matched donations. Through the overwhelming generosity of our customers, together we raised $2.8 million which has been distributed to various organisations nationwide that have been supporting the recovery efforts.
Through the combined efforts of the CanGive Appeal and Commbank Flood Relief grants, more than $4.8 million has been donated.
One of the local organisations that has received funding is Lismore-based CASPA Services, a leading child welfare service provider that works to protect the most vulnerable members of the community. They have used the grant money to acquire basic goods for children and their carers in need.
Other organisations that have benefited from Flood Relief Grants in the Northern Rivers region include:
- Stock Pot Kitchen Lismore;
- North East Equine Veterinary Services;
- Country Women's Association of NSW - Coraki Preschool;
- Lismore Workers Football Club Inc;
- RealArtWorks Inc;
- Indigenous Futures Foundation; and
- Northern Rivers Community Gateway Incorporated.
CommBank remains committed to supporting Lismore and the entire Northern Rivers community. While repairs are underway at the Lismore branch, a 'Pop Up' branch is available at Southern Cross University Goodman Carpark, Military Road, Lismore. The pop up includes all the features of a regular branch, including tellers, ATMs, lending and personal banking needs as well as specialised guidance and support.
