Woolworths announced that it will help to support Australian farmers affected by drought with a 1.5-million-dollar contribution to the charity Rural Aid. The partnership will double the charity’s existing capacity over the next 12 months.
The contribution will not only help farmers financially but will also help the charity to increase the number of counsellors they are able to provide to farmers and their families experiencing poor mental health as a result of the challenges associated with being a farmer through a drought.
“Rural Aid has worked tirelessly over the past few years to help farmers impacted by the drought. Our support will allow them to focus on increasing their delivery of much-needed livestock feed to farmers and other essentials as the drought continues to cause widespread impact to many communities.” Said Brad Banducci, Woolworths Group CEO
Charles Alder, CEO Rural Aid said; “This year we have received requests for assistance from over 700 farmers, with hundreds more desperately in need of our support, so we are truly grateful for the partnership and commitment from Woolworths. This significant boost to funding will allow us at a minimum to double our current capacity to deliver essential supplies such as hay bales or food for families in farming communities impacted by the drought.
Founded in 2015, Rural Aid has provided support to farmers across Australia with their counselling services, Weekend Warriors program, Farm Army job board and Buy a Bale campaign which has distributed over $5 million worth of farming equipment, food and services to Australian Farmers in need.
