Two Caringbah community groups are among those to be given grants by the Sutherland Shire Council this month.
The funding has been provided through the Sustainability Grants Programme, which this year has been boosted by a donation from local car company Toyota and Hino Motor Sales Australia.
Twelve grants, worth $5000 each, have been awarded to groups that run innovative schemes to help the community.
One of the grants has been presented to the Caringbah Neighbour Aid group.
The organisation provides volunteers to help elderly residents across the Sutherland Shire to maintain their gardens, as well as providing social interaction.
Co-ordinator Seana Disney said the money would be used to expand the volunteer programme in order to help more people.
One way to promote the organisation would be to ask a printing company to create a leaflet explaining what the group does and how to get involved, which could be distributed at libraries and other public places.
Sutherland Food Services, based at the Sutherland Hospital in Caringbah, has also been awarded funding, which will be put towards its rebranding next year when it merges with a number of other groups.
Other projects given funding include an English conversation class for parents, a scheme to help community groups share transport, and a community garden in Menai.
The grants were presented at a ceremony at Toyota’s Woolooware office this month.
