Hampers of Hope has won the NSW Environmental Citizen of the Year award, taking home a $3000 prize for their environmental and charitable work.
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Hampers of Hope is an initiative from Griffith Meals on Wheels, bringing hampers of food and necessities to people in need across Griffith. They collect food and donations that would otherwise be thrown away, coming to approximately 320 kilograms a day.
The NSW Environmental Citizen of the Year award is run by the Australia Day Council of NSW and the 'Return and Earn' initiative to "recognise individuals, organisations and community groups for initiatives that care, protect and preserve the environment within local communities."
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Senior co-ordinator Tenille Valensisi was thrilled to receive the award and hopes it can inspire some further developments and donations.
"We can officially announce it. We knew a while ago, but we were sworn to secrecy. It did make things very exciting ... You don't expect the nominations but when they come, it's very nice to have the recognition."
Miss Valensisi was looking forward to putting the prize money to good use, building storage facilities and adding more food to the regular hampers.
"The money's going toward storage facilities for our long life products and probably some more long-life products as well just to bulk up our hampers a bit. We're currently unfunded so every bit helps."
A year seven class from Coonabarabran High School took the Young Citizen of the Year award for their work co-ordinating their school's recycling program. They were presented with a $1000 prize for their efforts.
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