Mama Lana’s Community Foundation is not just about serving nutritious meals to the local community; the long-term goal is to have our own premises with commercial kitchen, showers, toilets and dining room within the local CBD. The premises would be big enough to store donated clothing, furniture and food stocks, while being a warm, inviting environment for the patrons. The foundation would also like to increase the number of food vans on the road to reach people in locations further afield. We have so many plans to ensure we reach as many people in need as we possibly can.
Donations of funds can be made via our bank account, or through this link. Funds are then distributed to all areas of Mama Lana’s Community Foundation with absolutely minimal funds being used for administration. You have been generous enough to donate, so we will ensure those funds are used to help people any way we can.
You can donate once to a particular fundraiser or event, or just because you want to contribute, or you can set up a regular donation. It’s up to you. MLCF is a fully registered Deductible Gift Recipients (DGR) charity and all donations over $2 are tax deductible. Once received, a Tax Receipt will be issued to you in due course.
Donations can be made via our Donate Planet page
OR Please deposit donations to the following account:
Bank: IMB
Branch: Penrith
BSB: 641-800
Acc: 200698795
Name: Mama Lana’s Community Foundation
Donations of Goods including list of items required and where to drop off – Contact Us here
Check our Facebook page for regular groceries and food packs/hampers.
Donations labeled “MLCF” can be dropped off at Storage King Penrith.
Sponsorship from businesses who would like to assist us – Contact Us here
Would your business like to sponsor Mama Lana’s Community Foundation? We would love to have you on board and have a full Corporate Sponsorship pack available. Please contact us to discuss how Mama Lana’s can partner with your business.
Want to Volunteer? Contact Us here
Any business is only as successful as its workforce, and Mama Lana’s workforce consists entirely of enthusiastic, selfless, wonderful volunteers. We have many volunteers currently assisting with the following projects:
- Serving our patrons under the bridge
- Assisting with cooking on some evenings
- Sorting and packing toiletries and snack packs
- Delivering emergency hampers as needed
- Helping with pick up/drop offs of furniture etc
- Washing and sorting donated clothes ready for distribution
- Shopping for emergency packs and nightly dinners
If you are interested in volunteering, please note that most of these roles can be done in your own time – serving in the Judges Carpark is always from 8pm Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri and Sat nights but all other activities can be worked around your own schedule.
CAN’T COMMIT TO VOLUNTEERING?
We know very well that people’s lives are busy and it can be difficult to make a regular commitment. Luckily, there are other ways to help if you still want to be involved. You could place one of our Donation Drive boxes at your work, school, gym, church or local sporting club. Or you could fundraise for us, by running an event and pledging the profits to Mama Lana’s Community Foundation. Why not have a Garage Sale or a local Trivia Night and donate the funds raised to MLCF? Or simply follow us on Facebook or Twitter, talk about the issues our homeless and underprivileged community faces daily, or even come down and enjoy a Sausage Sanger at one of our many fundraising BBQS. There are so many possibilities to assist in keeping Mama Lana’s moving forward and helping as many people as we can.
Youth Scheme
Mama Lana’s is in the process of creating a Youth Scheme for teens aged 14-25 years old. Under the supervision of adults, teens will receive a Volunteering Passport and can assist with various tasks and duties with MLCF. Their passport will be signed for time volunteered and this can work towards their Duke of Edinburgh certificate. Due to legal reasons, children under the age of 16 are not allowed to work under the bridge and will be allocated alternative tasks under the supervision of an adult. All adults are required to have their Working With Children Check before being allowed to volunteer with Mama Lana’s Community Foundation.
Not doing Duke of Edinburgh Certificate? No worries – volunteer work, beyond being a fantastic way of caring, learning about our community and its issues and solutions, looks wonderful on your resume! You can still volunteer under our Youth Scheme whether you are doing your DoE certificate or not.
WHAT NEXT?
Want to volunteer?
Contact Us here, you will then be sent an Induction Pack with further information.
Follow the links below to the Working With Children Check (online form and a quick visit to the RTA at no charge). All volunteers MUST have this check before you can work with children or at any of our fundraising events.
If you intend to work with food, please also complete the Safe Food Handling Certificate (this is just one link – other institutions provide this certification). Any costs associated can be claimed back on tax.
Links to online WWC and Food Handling certificates:
http://www.kids.nsw.gov.au/Working-with-children/New-Working-With-Children-Check/New-Working-with-Children-Check
https://www.australiantrainingsolutions.com.au/details/hospitality-courses/food-hygiene-online
We are so thankful for our beautiful volunteers who give their time and energy freely, make new friends, and most importantly, assist our vulnerable community in so many ways. THANK YOU ALL!
