Heritage calendar donation helps expand food relief programs

31 August 2022

Funds raised from Heritage Bank’s 2022 calendar are helping Sydney-based charity Dignity increase its support for those at risk or experiencing homelessness. 

Dignity was presented with a cheque for just over $3,220 at Heritage Bank’s Parramatta Branch that will go towards helping Dignity expand its food relief program to more locations across Australia. 

The donation is a share of the funds raised by Heritage Bank’s annual calendar, which each year features prominent Queensland house to help celebrate excellence in local architecture. Members and community members can obtain a copy of the calendar for a gold coin donation, with the proceeds then donated to a number of charities around southern Queensland and New South Wales.

Odette Quine, Heritage Bank State Manager NSW – Branches, said it was extremely rewarding to support the essential community services of organisations like Dignity.  

“With food relief at an all-time high, it’s great to join with the community through our calendar to Dignity support people experiencing hardship,” she said.

“They do an amazing job breaking down barriers for those at risk or experiencing homelessness by providing essential services, such as nourishing food and more.”

Dignity Partnerships Manager Sherin Fishwick said, “Thank you for choosing to support Dignity with this incredibly generous donation that will go towards helping us expand our current food relief programs into new locations.

“No-one should ever have to make the hard choice of putting food on the table for themselves and their families or paying their rent or mortgage.

“The donation will go towards the distribution costs of filling freezers with delicious and nutritious meals for anyone in any situation to help themselves to, no questions asked.”

Ms Fishwick said the impact of the food relief program was immense with the donation making a huge difference to people who need it the most.

To share the magnitude of this impact, Ms Fishwick shard a message from an individual receiving meals for his two children and himself; “I cannot thank you enough, these meals are like placing money in the bank for me.  They are helping me, and my family keep my home, and keep going. And they taste great!”

PHOTO: Odette Quine, Heritage Bank State Manager NSW – Branches, Sherin Fishwick, Dignity Partnerships Manager; and Darren Stephens, Heritage Bank Chief Transformation Officer