Commonwealth Bank Lakes Entrance branch employees have donated $500 to Combined Churches Emergency Food Relief program as part of a nationwide community donation program.

The Commonwealth Bank is committed to driving positive change within communities to make a difference locally and for all Australians.

Over the next few months, Commonwealth Bank has pledged to donate $500,000 nationally to recognise organisations that make a difference in the communities in which we live and work.

Each Commonwealth Bank branch and customer-facing team has been allocated $500 to donate to causes important to their local community.

Commonwealth Bank’s Lakes Entrance branch team voted to support the great work of Combined Churches Emergency Food Relief.

“We’re very excited to have the opportunity to support the Combined Churches Emergency Food Relief program”, Lauren Barlow, Commonwealth Bank Lakes Entrance branch manager, said.

“In particular the individuals and families that we know are being supported as part of this program, so it’s great to be able to give back and support this work.”

The Combined Churches Emergency Food Relief Program is yet another way generous people from Lakes Entrance community are helping those in need.

Each Monday two volunteers from a team of 14 make up emergency food packs.

“We do 12 family packs, six couples and three singles,” Judith Tivendale, who organizes the rosters, said.

Gippsland Lakes Community Health (GLCH) collects and distributes these packs to disadvantaged people who are unable to afford food for that week.

The four churches that contribute to the cause are the Baptist Church, St Brendan’s Catholic Church, St John’s Anglican Church and the Uniting Church.

The program has been running for 21 years and Primrose Scott has been there since the beginning.

“It’s great that GLCH collects and distributes the packs for us. They can also provide financial planning to the recipients,” she said.

The program does accept donations of food.

“As long as the food is non-perishable, healthy and not past its use by date, we will gratefully accept it,” Mrs Scott said.

“The Uniting Church Opportunity Shop is a drop off point for such donations. The Walk-a-Weigh group kindly donates this way every week.”

PICTURED: Lauren Barlow, Commonwealth Bank Lakes Entrance branch manager, Primrose Scott, treasurer of the Emergency Food Relief Program, and Judith Tivendale, assistant secretary, accepting a cheque for $500 from the Commonwealth Bank Community Grants program.