Mazda Foundation provides opportunities

Mazda Foundation provides opportunities for community groups

The Mazda Foundation’s latest funding round has seen over $72,000.00 donated to 16 groups and inviduals, including a young clay target shooter, a brass band and a surf life saving patrol, along with a range of community projects.

One of the largest grants of $20,000.00 will help the Garden to Table Trust establish a pilot programme in primary schools where children will learn to grow, harvest, prepare and share seasonal produce as part of their everyday learning.

Catherine Bell, Garden to Table Trust chairperson, says the programme is a fun way to educate children about the environment and positively influence their food choices.

“We intend to implement the programme in three Auckland primary schools initially and then gradually roll it out to schools throughout New Zealand,” says Bell.

The programme is modeled on the successful Australian Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Programme where children spend time each week in a vegetable garden they’ve designed and in a kitchen classroom preparing meals with their produce.

Andrew Clearwater, Mazda Foundation Chairman, said “Considering the current economic climate, there are many projects out there which are struggling to get off the ground. We are delighted to offer further support to the organisations in the community that need it most.”

Among the other successful applications was funding for young clay target shooter James Rastrick to attend the Junior Clay Target World Championship in Melbourne, new uniform shirts for a brass band and a portable life guard tower for the Ruakaka Surf Life Saving Club.

In the eleven rounds of funding since the Mazda Foundation was launched four years ago over $815,000.00 has been distributed to more than 180 individuals and organisations throughout New Zealand.

There are three closing dates each year for applications to the Mazda Foundation. The next closing date is 30 September 2009. For more information or to download an application form visit www.mazdafoundation.org.nz

ENDS

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