GRAIN donations from SA growers, and a financial donation from Glencore Grain and Viterra, have raised more than $200,000 for local charities to assist growers and communities affected by last year’s Pinery bushfire.
A total of $102,789 worth of grain donations were made and the company contributed a massive $100,000 to the cause.
The beneficiaries of the donation were BlazeAid – which received $135,000 – Trees For Life – $50,000 – and the SA Country Women’s Association – $17,789.
Viterra general manager of operations Tim Krause said he was pleased to make the donations on behalf of the company and the generous growers.
“As key participants in the grain industry in SA, we are acutely aware of the devastating impact that the bushfire had on local communities,” he said.
Mr Krause underlined the importance of the communities and the growers and employees within it.
“These communities are where our business operates and where our employees, growers, carriers and domestic customers live and work,” he said.
Mr Krause said the company established a fire fund, which was left open during harvest, to which growers could donate parcels of grain, and commended the community spirit throughout the tragedy.
“Glencore Grain purchased a majority of the donated grain at the highest daily cash price and the proceeds were reserved for the fire recovery efforts,” he said.
“The amount of grain donated by growers was overwhelming and we’d like to thank them for their generosity and community spirit.”
The company worked with its Strategic Silo Committee chairs, who represent local growers in the region, with BlazeAid, Trees For Life and CWA identified as providers of significant long-term support to growers and communities in the region.
The Pinery fire was a devastating affect on the community, with multiple people left without homes, and two lives lost.
More than 85,000 hectares of land were burnt by the fire which started on November 25 of last year.
Over 90 homes were destroyed by the thunderous blaze, while tens of thousands of live stock were sadly killed.
In addition to the stock, more than 300 farm sheds and outbuildings perished in the Pinery tragedy, but communities are rebuilding.