Matt Hewson
Geelong’s Give Where You Live Foundation has raised more than $100,000 through its live crowdfunding event Pitch Up Geelong.
The event, held at Geelong Arts Centre, provided a platform for three community organisations to share their stories and connect with the 180 people in attendance.
The evening was a success for all three organisations, with Feed Me Bellarine, Geelong & Surf Coast raising $31,000, Thread Together securing $31,000 and The Outpost receiving $38,000 from donors and matched funding partners Anthony Costa Foundation, Built and Findex Community Fund.
Give Where You Live chief executive Bill Mithen said food security and homelessness initiatives were among the Foundation’s key priorities, given the increasing number of people in the Geelong region who are facing homelessness.
“As the cost of groceries and living expenses continue to rise, so does the number of people in our community reaching out to food relief and homelessness agencies for support,” Mr Mithen said.
“Through our Community Choice voucher program, the Foundation collects real time data and over the past three months we’ve seen a 15% increase in the number of people who are seeking support due to cost of living pressures”.
“Pitch Up highlights how the community coming together can make a real difference for people locally.”
The Outpost chair Amy Flint expressed her organisation’s gratitude at the chance to participate in Pitch Up Geelong.
“It was an amazing night,” she said.
“We are so incredibly grateful to the donors and to the Give Where You Live Foundation for giving us this opportunity. The money raised will make such a difference in our community.”
