AS I watched one group’s request for a barbecue, stools, esky and a trailer fulfilled within three minutes, it was plain to see the people gathered for this year’s Shoalhaven Shark Tank were serious about helping ease homelessness in the region.
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Wednesday was the third time the Shoalhaven Shark tank had been run. This year’s funds take the total over three years to about $150,000.
The event invites community groups that work with homeless people to pitch an idea to a group of local business people and audience members. While exact figures are not in yet, organisers said this year’s event raised about $50,000 in just over two hours.
“This is a really good way to donate locally,” said Linda Gray from Access Storage Centre.
“It was my first time to this event and it was fantastic. A perfect conduit to give money directly to local organisations in need,” she said.
Lauren Beaufils, from NowChem said she was pleased to see new faces among the local groups pitching their ideas.
“By donating this way you know all the money is going to that local group, not into administration,” she said.
This year 24 Shoalhaven businesses signed up to hear 13 homelessness services pitch their goals. Along with cash, other donations included offers of carpet, petrol, signwriting, the use of a holiday house and even yoga classes.
