Lions' bingo fights food insecurity

ROSA VOLZ

If you fancy a fun night out that will make you feel good while you do good… then read on. The Golden Bays Lions is hosting a regular bingo night to support the Mohua Social Services foodbank.

“We can all be a small part of something really important, which is feeding our community,” says Lions vice president and organiser Lee Rzoska. Lee tells The GB Weekly that the nights were started by the Lions “around the idea of providing food security for the Bay. Our goal was to raise $500 per month, every month for a year – earmarked to go towards food costs for the foodbank.”

The nights are run by a group of core organisers and club members and have been underway since November last year. Fellow organiser Wendy Brooks says, “We now have a staunch following. The night is so funny with heckling and catcalling, and the core group really ‘make the night’ for everyone.”

The Lions also want to take bingo night “on the road” to Collingwood three or four times a year. They have done this once already and are preparing for their next “travelling bingo night” this coming Monday, 19 June (see ad on page 14).

Wendy explains that the format is eight games, with a half-time break for supper with tea and coffee (for koha). For each game, players may purchase one or more $2 or $5 bingo cards. The winner of each round then gets to choose from the respective $2 or $5 “goody basket” or prize table. The prizes are donated by businesses and individuals in the Bay. Says Lee, “We are deeply touched by the generosity of businesses during such hard times.”

Premal Gauntlett (Mohua Social Services service manager) tells The GB Weekly, “It’s a huge relief having a regular sum donated, so that we can continue to plan to meet the need.

Mohua Social Services foodbank is currently spending $1,000 a week at the supermarket and via other providers, in order to make food parcels available to our community. [The monthly donation] really helps.”

GB Lions bingo night, Senior Citizens' Hall, first Monday of each month. Doors open at 6.30pm, games start at 7pm.