New veggies beds for bushfire affected gardens

More than 30 people who lost their cherished veggie gardens in the bushfires will receive help from an ongoing partnership between the IMB Bank Community Foundation and SAGE NSW INC. The IMB Bank Community Foundation has announced it will continue to fund SAGE’s popular Veggies for all Program across Eurobodalla, with the next roll-out of $15,000 targeting bushfire affected people. Kathryn Maxwell, SAGE Veggies for All Program Coordinator has welcomed the 2020 grant and says her dedicated team of volunteers are very keen to start working on this new program. “The IMB Bank Community Foundation's continued support for the backyard and community veggie growing program has helped many people reap the benefits of growing their own vegetables and herbs,” said Kathryn Maxwell. “With their support, we will now be able to install more than 30 veggie beds in gardens damaged by last summer's bushfires, and host three veggie gardening workshops. We will also be able to build new wicking beds at the SAGE Garden Moruya to grow food for the SAGE Community Food Program which provides food to welfare groups and people in need,” said Kathryn Maxwell. In the past 3 years, volunteers installed more than 200 veggie beds in backyards across the Eurobodalla, built 14 wicking bed allotments at the SAGE Moruya Community Garden at St John's Church, and hosted veggie growing workshops for than 500 people. “Spending time in the garden growing food is a fun and healthy activity and it’s rewarding to help people get back into their happy gardening place,” said Kathryn Maxwell. “The events of 2020 have highlighted the important role IMB Bank’s Community Foundation plays at a local grassroots level,” said Robert Ryan, IMB Bank CEO. “SAGE’s Veggies for All is a great example of a South Coast community group stepping up to help others in difficult times. IMB Bank Community Foundation is tremendously proud to deliver the financial support to help SAGE achieve their goals.”