The City of Greater Bendigo has provided $33,608 in grants to support local groups to hold free community festive meal events or provide food relief hampers in December.
Greater Bendigo Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf said the festive meal events are aimed at supporting local community connections and inclusion during the festive season.
"This year the City increased the maximum grant from up to $1,000 to $2,000 to reflect the significant rising cost of food involved in hosting these events," Cr Metcalf said.
"This has resulted in the City providing funding totalling $33,608 to 21 local groups for community meal events and the provision of food relief hampers in the lead up to Christmas.
"This year the City received more than double the applications we received last year. This significant increase in applications mirrors growing social isolation and food security challenges that are being observed across our community by many organisations.
"The grants have made it possible for a range of small, local events to be held across Greater Bendigo rather than one large event taking place in central Bendigo. It also responds to an identified whole-of-municipality gap in food relief at this time of the year.
