Sapphire Community Projects

Tell us about Sapphire Community Projects. What is your mission?

Sapphire Community Projects’ mission is to support people to nourish themselves, their families and their communities. It is a registered charity, based in Bega, NSW, dedicated to supporting people experiencing poverty, food insecurity and social isolation.

What are your programs/initiatives and why do you run them?

Projects include the Sapphire Community Pantry, Ricky’s Place Community Cafe, a Mobile Pantry and other initiatives to provide affordable food access, shared meals, and a sense of community.

How do you involve volunteers in your programs?

Sapphire Community Projects relies on over 60 volunteers to deliver services and its all-volunteer board is responsible for governance, regulatory requirements, and employee management.

How do your volunteers make a difference in the community?

Without volunteers, Sapphire Community Projects could not operate its services or have an organisation at all!

Do you have any stories from your volunteers?

Following are some of the comments volunteers have reported they often hear:

• “You guys are fantastic, we are so thankful for what you do”
• “I didn’t have any food left and you guys are a lifesaver”
• “I’ve only just heard about you. You can’t know how much this has helped us as a family.”

What resources and services have helped to support your volunteer involvement?

The Centre for Volunteering has provided Sapphire Community Projects with a wide range of supportive information. For example, its webinar session on the use of AI; online website resources; and Open Grants information. The challenge is to spread this knowledge through the organisation more thoroughly.

Why did your organisation become a member of The Centre? What benefit has it brought your organisation?

Learning different strategies to attract, retain, multi-skill, and develop the volunteer pool. Linking with other volunteer organisations and building support is an ongoing goal.

What have you learnt about the value of volunteering and/or volunteer management?

Sapphire Community Projects sees the benefits of its volunteering efforts in helping individuals and the broader community. Known for providing well-regarded, valued services, there are far more people who need support than are currently reached. Sapphire feels so blessed to see people in need getting nutritious, quality food for themselves and in particular, their children.

What would you say to someone thinking of volunteering?

There are a wide variety of roles to suit your preferences and skill sets. The Sapphire Community Projects workplaces are friendly, supportive and encouraging. Volunteering with the organisation is a great way to make friends and learn new skills while supporting the community. The pleasure you get from giving time and seeing people less fortunate benefit from what Sapphire Community Projects provide is often overwhelming.

 LEARN MORE ABOUT SAPPHIRE COMMUNITY PROJECTS

Membership

The Centre is proud to support organisations like Sapphire Community Projects doing important work in the community.

“The Centre provides a range of important information from learning different strategies to attract, retain, multi-skill, and develop the volunteer pool, to linking with other volunteer organisations and building support – an ongoing goal.”

 

– Sapphire Community Projects