“Thank you.” Those are the two words that sum up Endeavour Foundation’s gratitude to One Little Farm and other Bundaberg businesses who have rescued the disability service provider’s 2020 Mother’s Day flower harvest.
The annual harvest of chrysanthemums usually sees dozens of volunteers pick and bunch tens of thousands of flowers grown at Endeavour Foundation’s Bundaberg farm in time for Mother’s Day.
However, due to the Coronavirus pandemic and social distancing requirements, it looked like the harvest may not go ahead for the first time in nearly 30 years – until the business community stepped in.
“Our number one priority is safety, which means we’re unable to have our wonderful volunteers and employees with disabilities participate in the harvest this year,” said site manager Robert Campbell.
“We’re also unable to sell the thousands of bunches we usually would sell ourselves to the public.
“Despite the challenges, our staff have said they want to do what they can to save the harvest and are working incredibly hard to pick and bunch the flowers in time for Mother’s Day.
“It’s such a shame our supported employees are unable to help harvest the crop they have nurtured for many months and see all their hard work come to fruition – for many that’s the highlight of their year.
“However, One Little Farm and other businesses who have stepped in have ensured the efforts of our supported employees have not gone to waste – thank you.”
Endeavour Foundation approached Anthony Rehbein from Bundaberg business One Little Farm for help and is delighted that they will buy the lion’s share of the flowers, an incredible 4000 bunches, for resale.
“It’s great that One Little Farm has been asked to collaborate with Endeavour Foundation to ensure they harvest their crop,” Mr Rehbein said.
“It means the mums, daughters, nannas, grandmas, and caregivers of Bundaberg, through One Little Farm, can still have their traditional bunch of chrysanthemums this year.
“We are delighted to support Endeavour Foundation in their time of need and get these beautiful blooms to our hard-working local mums.”
One Little Farm’s Pop-Up Farm Shop is located at 371 FE Walker St, opposite the Dog Motel and will sell Endeavour’s Chrysanthemums this week on April 30 and May 1 and next week on May 7, 8, 9 and 10.
Other Bundaberg businesses stocking bunches in limited numbers include Chippindalls, IGA Avoca, Moloneys Friendly Grocer, Northside Produce Agency and IGA Express Northside.
- More Endeavour Foundation news
