Below is a media statement from our friends at CBH Group announcing a number of very worthy donations it made via its Harvest Mass Management funding this year. Bushfire Volunteers is extremely proud to have successfully worked with CBH Group to be one of those recipients and deeply appreciative of the donation.

A huge thank you to CBH Group and its members – we look forward to strengthening our relationship with you and being better able to deliver more positive outcomes for our members in the communities you serve.

Growers provide $150,000 to charities from forfeited grain

Emergency food supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health programs and bushfire recovery support were among the key charitable causes which shared in $150,000 of Harvest Mass Management funding this year.

Developed by the CBH Group and Main Roads WA, the Harvest Mass Management Scheme (HMMS) seeks to reduce the frequency of overloaded grain trucks during harvest.

Under the HMMS, growers can forfeit grain from overloaded trucks, with funds from the sale of this grain provided to Western Australian charities nominated by growers and CBH employees.

During the 2019-20 season, $150,000 was raised from the grain sales which has been donated to nine charities.

The charities are: Ronald McDonald House; St John Ambulance; Foodbank; The Mental Illness Fellowship of WA; Midwest Charity Begins at Home; Asthma Foundation of WA; Fiona Wood Foundation; Farmers Across Borders; and Association of Volunteer Bushfire Brigades of WA.

CBH Chair Simon Stead said the scheme provided grass roots charities and community organisations valuable funding, with more than $1.5 million distributed since the scheme began in 2012.

“The HMMS continues to be an effective deterrent to the overloading of road transport in Western Australia while giving back to regional communities at the same time,” he said.

“Through HMMS, growers are extending their support for charities that play a key role during these unprecedented times.”

Details of the nine charities receiving funding are below:

Mental Illness Fellowship of WA, $25,000

Funds will be used for the “Reach Out Program” which supports those who have an existing experience of mental distress through providing consistent phone or online video support.

St John Ambulance WA, $25,000

An additional 16 Automated External Defibrillators will be installed in grain growing regions.

Association of Volunteer Bushfire Brigades of WA, $25,000

Support for regional bushfire brigades across Western Australia.

Ronald McDonald House, $20,000

Funds will be used for the “Work of Heart” program which provides educational sessions that support sick children and their siblings living in the Ronald McDonald House in completing their homework and education.

FoodBank, $20,000

Funds will assist schools located within our grain growing regions to participate in the School Breakfast Program and provides families impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in grain growing regions with food hampers.

Asthma Foundation, $10,000

The foundation’s free telehealth service will benefit from these funds, enabling regional patients to access medical appointments and education with ease.

Farmers Across Borders, $10,000

Funds will go towards the delivery of livestock feed to farmers in need across Australia.

Fiona Wood Foundation, $10,000

Funds will enhance the delivery of education programs on the State Government’s telehealth service.

Midwest Charity Begins at Home, $5,000

Supports the continuation of financial assistance for Midwest families in need because of serious illness.