Soroptimist International Albany double down, donating another $750 to Foodbank to support critical service

Soroptimist International Albany has dug deep, following up a $750 donation to Foodbank in July with another $750 worth of gift cards to help the support service provide for those in need this Christmas.

SIA are members of an international group that supports and empowers women and girls through education and the Albany branch has been doing good work in the community for more than 40 years.

SIA co-president Deborah Symes said that supporting the critical role Foodbank plays in Albany was a no-brainer.

“We donated $750 at our usual Christmas in July time and we thought well, we’ve got the money there from our fundraising so we donated again,” she said.

“Our values are being kind and helpful — that’s the main thing.”

Since 2011 the kindness of SIA has helped Foodbank to the tune of nearly one tonne of canned and packaged foods, a big achievement for a group that has, on average, 20 members per year.

The group raises funds through fundraising regularly hosting high-teas, garage sales and Bunnings sausage sizzles.

The gift cards will enable Albany Foodbank to put the money into what is most needed.

“Rather than donate through Perth we decided to keep it local by giving the Albany branch gift cards for Woolworths,” Ms Symes said.

“Normally we do a food drive but we thought this year they really needed cash to get what they need.”

With support services around Australia seeing an increase in the number of people seeking assistance, particularly at Christmas time, Ms Symes said that it would be great to see SIA grow.

“Getting younger people to join is really difficult, we’re all ageing,” Ms Symes said.

“If we could a bunch of people of that age it would be really good.”

Girls and women interested in finding out more about SIA are encouraged to get in touch via sialbany@siswp.org.