A generous new partnership will help ensure fresh, locally grown food reaches people experiencing hardship every month, extending the impact of one of the New England’s longest-running community initiatives beyond its annual fundraising event.
Costa Group has committed to donating 100 kilograms of tomatoes each month to Pathfinders, with the produce transported by the Tilbuster Station team to Soul Hub Newcastle, where it will be used to prepare meals for people experiencing hardship and homelessness.
The first delivery comes at a time when demand for food relief continues to grow. During the handover, Soul Hub staff said a decline in donated food had affected the organisation’s ability to meet community need. Last year, the charity served more than 80,000 meals across the Newcastle region.
The monthly donations build on the success of the Pathfinders Pumpkin Run, which for more than 12 years has delivered fresh produce to charities and community organisations across New South Wales while giving young people opportunities to develop practical skills, contribute to their communities and experience the value of volunteering.
Each year, young people and staff harvest pumpkins grown at Tilbuster Station before travelling across the state to prepare meals alongside community organisations and deliver fresh produce to people in need. The new partnership means that support will now continue throughout the year instead of being limited to the annual Pumpkin Run.
Pathfinders chief executive officer Alan Brennan said the partnership would strengthen the program’s impact for both the community and the young people involved.
“The Pumpkin Run has always been about much more than delivering produce. It creates opportunities for young people to contribute to their communities, develop practical skills and see first-hand the value of giving back. We’re incredibly grateful to Costa Group for helping us extend that impact throughout the year.”
Tilbuster Station manager Anthony Simmons said regular donations reinforced the values at the heart of the program.
“At Tilbuster, young people learn practical skills through agriculture, but they also learn what it means to give back, take responsibility and be part of their community. Being able to continue making regular donations like this means those lessons continue long after the Pumpkin Run has finished.”
Costa Group manager Christopher Cameron presented the first donation to Pathfinders in Guyra before the tomatoes were delivered to Soul Hub Newcastle and received by general manager Matthew Ortiger.
The ongoing partnership will provide a reliable supply of fresh produce to support community food relief while creating continued opportunities for young people to give back through the Pathfinders program.
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