The Resilience NSW COVID Regional Community Support Program (CRCS) recognises that locally-based groups in remote, rural and regional NSW played a critical role in supporting their communities to navigate the impacts of COVID by delivering hampers. For many, distribution of these relief packages were funded from their, or their volunteer’s, own resources.
CRCS is two-part program, designed to support eligible not-for-profit organisations, community groups, and associated volunteer-based organisations that were involved in delivering food and/or personal care hampers to individuals and families affected by COVID lockdowns.
The first stream will offer contribution towards reimbursement for the costs of the hampers, while a second stream of the program will help to strengthen these groups and their ability to mitigate future pandemic events.
This program is funded by the NSW Government and delivered by FRRR, on behalf of Resilience NSW.
Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience Steph Cooke said the NSW Government was committed to supporting community groups and not-for-profits in their important work.
“We know that many community groups had to dip into their own funds to distribute hampers and relief packs to people who needed extra support during the lockdowns,” said Ms Cooke.
“This funding opportunity will cover expenses like fuel, couriers, and logistics costs, helping them to continue their wonderful work into the future.”
Resilience NSW Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons recognized the contributions that had been made to support communities impacted by COVID-19.
“These groups deserve our gratitude for all they have done to support their fellow community members in regional parts of the state,” said Mr Fitzsimmons.
“This program, which is being run by FRRR on behalf of Resilience NSW, will allow eligible organisations to be reimbursed up to $30,000.”
Natalie Egleton, CEO of FRRR, said that regional community groups across NSW have worked hard to support their communities through COVID, despite themselves facing funding and operational challenges.
“Rural not-for-profits’ resources are stretched incredibly thin, and for many groups, the costs of distributing these hampers came out of their own pockets, so getting money back into their kitty is vital,” said Ms Egleton.
“We have worked closely with Resilience NSW to ensure that the reimbursement application process is straight-forward but if you have any questions just give us a call on 1800 170 020 and our team will be happy to talk you through it.”
A second stream of this program will open in March. The Capacity Building Stream is designed to help strengthen local community groups and not-for-profits in regional areas, so that they are better able to continue supporting their communities through COVID and future crises.
To find out what can be funded through the Reimbursement Stream, and to apply, visit https://frrr.org.au/ResNSW-Covid-Support.
Applications close 5pm AEDT on Tuesday 1 March 2022.