Chris Meyer (CEO, Esperance Care Services), Sam Treleaven (Regional Operations Manager, Aurizon Bulk West), and Lyndon Nilsson (State Manager WA, SecondBite). Photo: Aurizon.
Esperance Community Services (ECS) have received funding from two WA organisations that will allow them to better support the Esperance community.
On behalf of ECS, the largest free food rescue organisation, SecondBite, applied for a grant to support the emergency relief services in Esperance by providing food for people in need.
A grant was given by the Aurizon Community Giving that will fund free food hampers that the ECS provide.
“We were the only one in the state who received it,” ECS CEO Chris Myer said.
“It was given out to organisations where Aurizon have a footprint, and they do in Esperance.
“We are very grateful.”
ECS was also awarded funding from Esperance Ag Fund to support their advocate program, the Empowering Voices Project.
According to Chris Meyer, the ECS has two advocates to support clients dealing with things such as Centrelink, court and mental health issues.
The advocate program is a recent addition to the ECS, but Mr Meyer said in the two years it had been around, it had without doubt created a positive impact.
“There was such a demand in the first year we hired another advocate,” he said.
“The money will go towards paying the staff.’’
ECS staff say they are grateful to have the support they need to keep making a difference in Esperance. According to them, it is all about empowering and strengthening the community.
