One of the 13 grant recipients in the Give Where You Live Foundation’s latest grant round is The Outpost, who received a $19,000 grant to support their ongoing operating costs. This funding is crucial in ensuring that The Outpost can continue to keep the doors open to provide those most in need in our community, with a safe space and access to essentials such as food and clothing.
For over 34 years, The Outpost has been the only non-referral, after-hours service in the region, offering hot, healthy meals every night of the week, 365 days a year. With a commitment to a “no questions asked” policy, The Outpost serves a diverse range of people, providing more than just food—it offers a sense of community and safety to those who might otherwise face the night alone.
As the cost of living continues to rise, The Outpost has seen a significant increase in the number and diversity of individuals seeking assistance. Over the past year, there has been a 51% rise in the demand for meals and drinks. Many of those coming through the doors are not homeless but are everyday people struggling to keep up with living expenses and finding it increasingly difficult to secure a meal.
The funding from the Give Where You Live Foundation will ensure that The Outpost can continue to meet the growing demand for its services and provide meals to the community every night of the week, as well as three lunches a week.
Along with meals, The Outpost also provide people in the community with new and recycled clothing, fresh fruit and vegetables, blankets, beanies, street swags, sleeping bags, and personal hygiene products.
In addition, the Foundations’ Social Lab has been working closely with The Outpost to codesign and reimagine their strategy as they embark on a period of growth, modernisation and change. This support is helping them to truly understand, appreciate and articulate the incredibly unique role they have played in our community for 34 years. The Foundation also provides additional assistance to The Outpost’s clientele via the Community Choice program with food and pharmacy vouchers.
The Outpost has been selected to participate in the Foundation’s 2024 Pitch Up Geelong event, which presents another opportunity for the service to secure further funding and raise awareness of this vital community service.
The Outpost is more than just a service, it is a community. It ensures that people have a place to feel safe, engage in conversation with volunteers, and connect with their community and friends.
Thanks in part to public donations received in the Foundations 2023 Feed Geelong Appeal, in June 2024 the Foundation provided over $215,000 in funding to 13 local organisations.
Pictured: Richard Bisinella from the Foundation’s Gold Partner, Bisinella Developments, recently visited The Outpost to see the service in operation.