Social enterprise grant to deliver Russell Island kitchen makeover
Published Wednesday, 01 December, 2021 at 02:20 PM
Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development
The Honourable Di Farmer
Bay Islands Community Services Inc (BICSI) will install a brand-new kitchen to support the vulnerable thanks to a Palaszczuk Government Social Enterprise Growth Grant.
Member for Redlands Kim Richards said BICSI will invest their $24,300 grant in stainless steel cabinets and commercial appliances for their Russell Island enterprise.
“BICSI’s support of the communities on Russell, Macleay, Lamb and Karragarra Islands is second to none,” Ms Richards said.
“Their team of volunteers are genuine local legends, working to deliver better outcomes for the unemployed and disadvantaged.
“Social enterprises like this are community assets and I’m proud that the Palaszczuk Government is backing them.”
Angela Collins, BICSI’s Manager for Russell Island, said the grant would be life changing for vulnerable residents.
“We’ve been operating with a very old kitchen for many years and could not provide cooked meals or cooking workshops,” Ms Collins said.
“Now, we can now rip out our very old kitchen and install stainless steel elements to create a commercial standard kitchen.
“We will be able to provide hot meals for homeless people and teach new mums and victims of domestic violence basic nutritional cooking.
“Currently we help about 50 people a month, with a proper kitchen we will be able to help many, many more.”
Minister for Employment and Small Business Di Farmer said 30 organisations have shared in more than $635,000 to grow their operations and goodwill.
“Social enterprises are businesses that address social, cultural and environmental challenges and invest their profits towards that purpose,” Minister Farmer said.
“We announced our $8 million Social Enterprise Jobs Fund earlier this year to grow the sector and create jobs as part of Queensland’s Economic Recovery Plan.
“Under this Fund, the Growth Grants will support a whole range of projects creating genuine social impact, including recycling clean plastic waste from hospitals and training inmates in graphic design to reduce recidivism.
“Funded organisations can invest in things like new equipment, training or strategic advice and website improvements to scale up or adapt their operations.”
The Palaszczuk Government released the Queensland Social Enterprise Strategy in 2019, designed to build capability and capacity, make connections across the sector and improve market access.
For more information on support available for social enterprises visit the Business Queensland website: https://www.business.qld.gov.au/ or call 1300 369 935.
ENDS
Media contact: Ben Brew 0468 839 551