Bendigo Foodshare has announced an exciting new fundraising event, Bendigo’s Biggest Takeaway.

Scheduled for the weekend of September 25 – 27, the inaugural event was designed to raise funds for the food relief charity, create fun for the Bendigo community and support local restaurants, pubs, cafes and takeaway food outlets impacted by COVID-19. 

Bendigo’s Biggest Takeaway fundraising model encourages local food lovers to:

1. Order food at a participating takeaway venue

2. Donate to Bendigo Foodshare

3. Show your local takeaway some love

4. Join an online event or socially distanced party at home

5. Share #BendigosBiggestTakeaway on social media

The fundraiser is open to all local takeaway venues serving meals and drinks, including pubs, restaurants, cafes, and bistros.  They have to register as a venue and ask their patrons to donate $5 for their meal order and $1 for their coffee order.  It’s that simple.

Not only is it free to register, but the fundraiser is also a great promotional opportunity for businesses wanting to reconnect with customers after Stage 3 Restrictions.

Bendigo Foodshare Manager, Bridget Bentley, said the excitement and enthusiasm this fundraiser had created was outstanding. 

“It is clear from the incredible response we’ve had so far is that Bendigo has been looking for a reason to dress-up and enjoy a night of the delicious food,” Ms Bentley said.

“With restrictions easing and our city opening up, we now have the choice about where we enjoy it, outside at the venue, in a park or on the couch. 

“It is the simple pleasures we identified that the community was missing. So, this is just a small way of bringing back a little of what we all used to take for granted in the past; all while raising precious funds for our organisation to keep delivering tangible food solutions to people in need.”

Local business owner, Chad Edwards, was one of the first hospitality businesses to jump on board, signing us his cafe El Gordo on the first day of registrations.

“The El Gordo team is excited to be part of this fantastic, fun and easy community

event which showcases Bendigo’s amazing food venues,” Mr Edwards said.

“It will allow our patrons to ‘support local’ and help those in a time of need within the community.”

Bendigo’s Biggest Takeaway is proudly supported by Be.Bendigo as a major event partner. Be.Bendigo has played an active role in helping become a collective movement where Greater Bendigo’s hospitality sector can come together to kick-start business after being hit by COVID-19 restrictions twice, all while raise community morale and helping people struggling with financial stress.

For more information about Bendigo’s Biggest Takeaway, please visit www.bendigofoodshare.org.au/takeaway.