When strong communities come together, incredible things can happen. Thanks to a $24,500 Queensland Country Bank Good for Good Community Grant, Fuel for Schools can continue to support many children in Townsville and surrounding regions with much-needed meals and supplies.
This significant contribution ensures that Fuel for Schools—known for its unwavering dedication to local school kids—can maintain its critical operations, bringing meal support to families across our community.
A Lifeline on Wheels
The grant has enabled Fuel for Schools to purchase its very own van, a vital piece of equipment for the charity. Previously on a two-year lease, the van is now fully owned, allowing the team to continue delivering essentials with greater reliability, efficiency, and peace of mind.
Fuel for Schools Operations Manager, Paddy Pool, emphasised the importance of the van in their daily work.
"The van gives us the reliability and consistency we need to deliver food to children around town," Mr Pool explained.
For a charity that provides nearly 7,000 meals every week and delivers over 1,000 backpacks, transportation is more than a convenience.
"Since we’ve had the van, I can’t imagine the charity surviving without it," Mr Pool said. "With the quantity of food going out of our shed each day, it would be a nightmare in a smaller car."
Locals Supporting Locals
At the heart of Fuel for Schools’ mission is a simple but powerful principle—locals supporting locals. The same philosophy guides Queensland Country Bank, which takes pride in reinvesting some of their profits into the community through programs like Good for Good community grants.
"Queensland Country Bank is a very well-known organisation that supports local Townsville and community events, and we do exactly the same thing," Mr Pool shared. "Locals supporting locals is pretty much our go to."
This shared community-first mentality has helped Fuel for Schools and Queensland Country Bank create a lasting partnership.
Making a Difference, Every Day
Fuel for Schools plays a massive role in improving the lives of children in Townsville and surrounding regions. For many kids, the meals provided by the charity may be their primary source of nutrition. By stepping in with free food and essential supplies, Fuel for Schools gives students a better chance to focus, learn, and grow, without the burden of hunger holding them back.
Queensland Country Bank CEO Aaron Newman highlighted the impact that Fuel for Schools is making.
"Fuel for Schools is a prolific name in and around Townsville, and they do such important work in supporting children across the region and making a strong impact," Mr Newman said.
He also pointed out the unique role that a Member-owned bank like Queensland Country Bank plays in fostering these community initiatives.
"One of the benefits of being a Member-owned bank is that some of our profits go back into supporting our local communities. Supporting organisations like Fuel for Schools is at the heart of what we do at Queensland Country Bank."
Want to get involved? Whether through donations, volunteering, or raising awareness, there are countless ways to support Fuel for Schools and help them continue their amazing work.
Want to Help Your Community?
The Good For Good Community Grants program is designed to empower local organisations like Fuel For Schools to achieve their goals. Whether you have a project that supports environment, education, health, sports and recreation or arts, culture and heritage, this grant could be the key to bringing your vision to life.