Lot 208 Youth Inc given help to provide healthy meals through Albemarle community grants program

An Australind-based community organisation has received support to provide healthy food to young people.

Lot 208 Youth Inc has been given funding for its Youth Space Your Place program as part of Albemarle’s community grants program.

The grant has been used to buy healthy ingredients for the weekly offering, which is attended by up to 150 young people aged between 12 and 18 every month.

Albermale external affairs vice-president Beverley East said the company’s grant program helped support initiatives across the South West.

“Supporting young people to learn positive life skills and to create fun and safe places for them to come together is vital to building community fabric and we’re pleased to be able to assist Lot 208 with their important work,” she said.

Lot 208 manager Avani Shah said its Food Frenzy initiative relied on outside funding to keep operating.

“We really want to educate young people about making good food choices,” she said.

“We provide a range of healthy dishes, including spaghetti bolognese, nachos, pasta bake, quiche and fried rice and our members are given an opportunity to create a meal plan and participate in the meal preparation, presentation and clean up.

“20 per cent of the youth attending are disadvantaged and at risk as families struggle to feed them an adequate healthy meal.”

Ms Shah said the non-for-profit group attracted members from across the region, including Eaton and Donnybrook.

“This is due to the regular opening times, the safe and welcoming environment, the opportunity to speak to qualified youth workers and the highly regarded and respected youth service,” she said.