Alcoa foundation eases hardship for locals

Harvey, Yarloop and Waroona residents who have been struggling financially during the coronavirus crisis, will be offered a helping hand through a program funded by the Alcoa Foundation.

The foundation has poured $420,000 into a 12-month locally-targeted campaign with Foodbank and Anglicare WA.

The initiative, which was launched on Wednesday, aimed to provide back-up support for people experiencing hardships as a result of COVID-19.

Alcoa community relations manager Tom Busher said he was excited to launch the program.

“We did not want to just donate a sum of money and walk away,” Mr Busher said.

“We wanted it to go further and actually help people within our shires, so we sat down with the charities and worked out how we could best help the people in our communities.”

Mr Busher said both Foodbank and Anglicare WA had good reputations and did a great job with supporting people in need.

“It has been great to work alongside these charities to help people who have experienced financial hardship, had mental health concerns or been victims of domestic violence during the pandemic.”

Foodbank WA chief executive Greg Hebble said hunger had been on the rise for some time.

“We know that there are a growing number of people doing it particularly rough at the moment,” Mr Hebble said.

“We’re really excited to be providing essential food and groceries to those who need it most.”

Anglicare WA chief executive Mark Glasson said COVID-19 had created a new level of hardship in the community. “The crisis is affecting mental health and family relationships,” Mr Glasson said.

“We will work with these communities to ensure the support services we provide are tailored to their needs and made accessible to anyone who needs them.”

Along with helping the shires of Harvey and Waroona, the greater Peel region would also benefit from the almost half-a-million dollar donation.