OPTUS SERVES UP A TREAT FOR HUNGRY KIDS

A South Australian charity that provides food relief to young, indigenous and regionally isolated children across the State will receive $5,000 in funding from Optus, as part of the Optus Connecting Communities Grant Program.

The financial support, awarded to Foodbank South Australia (SA), will provide nourishing meals and nutrition training to youth in isolated areas. The not-for-profit organisation sources donated and surplus food from hundreds of food companies and distributes it to welfare and community agencies that then provide it to people in need.

"The generous grant from Optus allows us to continue our existing successful school breakfast programs and plan an expansion of programs for other regional schools," Leigh Royans, General Manager of Foodbank SA said.

"Foodbank SA is the states largest emergency food relief organisation, distributing 1.2 million kilograms of food to around 120,000 marginalised South Australians every year. Optus' funding support for the northern regional school breakfast initiative will ensure isolated children begin their day with a healthy meal," Mr Royans said.

"Many young people across our community are missing out on the most basic human rights, like food. By providing practical support, Optus can help young South Australians get access to nutritional meals, alleviate hunger and raise awareness of healthy eating," Jann Kohlman, Optus Group Manager, Sponsorship and Community Programs said.

This year, Optus awarded close to $150,000 to 31 Australian not-for-profit organisations, as part of its annual Optus Connecting Communities Grants Program. The funding, of up to $5,000 per project, will help reduce social isolation for those in need and reconnect disengaged youth in the community. It is an essential part of Optus' Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

In addition to the Community Grants Program, Optus supports 13 charity partners nationally, including Mission Australia, World Vision, Youth off the Streets and the Australian Wildlife Conservancy, Kids Helpline and The Starlight Children's Foundation.

Media contact:
Tracy Woodley
Optus Corporate Affairs
Tel: (02) 8082 5302