Wednesday 10 March 2021

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Newman’s Own Foundation, the independent foundation created by the late actor and humanitarian Paul Newman, has announced that Matt Preston, award winning food journalist, recipe writer and TV personality is to be honoured for his role in giving back to the community in this year’s Australian charity grants program.

In acknowledgment of his passionate advocacy of food security and food rescue, Matt was asked by the Foundation to nominate an Australian charity to receive a $75,000 (USD) grant. Matt nominated two groups to share the funding:

Scarf – a social enterprise with charity status that transforms the lives of young people seeking protection, and those from refugee and migrant backgrounds by supporting and empowering them to find employment in the hospitality industry. Matt is currently a Scarf Ambassador and regularly hosts events to help spread the word of its important work in the community.

The $42,500 (USD) funding will be used by Scarf to run a series of training, mentoring and job readiness programs in 2021, starting with Skill Up with Scarf in March. 

"We're incredibly grateful that Matt nominated Scarf for the Newman's Own Foundation grant, especially after a very difficult 2020,” said Hannah Brennan, CEO and co-founder of Scarf.

“These funds will help us to get Scarf programs back up and running face-to-face in 2021, and we're hoping to provide opportunities to at least 40 young people facing barriers to work throughout the year. We're excited to bring Scarf Dinners back to life, to start reconnecting with Melbourne diners and to give awesome training, mentoring and paid work experience to young people from refugee backgrounds who've struggled to crack the job market."

SecondBite – a leading national food rescue organisation that works with a range of food suppliers to rescue surplus fresh food and redistribute to local charities and non-profits around Australia.  Matt became a Director of SecondBite in 2018 after a long association with the organisation.

The $43,000 (USD) of funding will be used by SecondBite to go towards the purchase of truck to be used in food collection and redistribution.

"We are incredibly grateful to the Newman’s Own Foundation and would like to thank Matt Preston, our Ambassador, for his contribution towards the success of this grant. This funding will assist us greatly, enabling SecondBite to purchase a much-needed truck that will be used in the collection and redistribution of enough food for 2000-3000 meals per day. On behalf of all those whose lives will be significantly improved by this investment, thank you." Jim Mullan, CEO SecondBite. 

Of the opportunity to nominate organisations for this funding, Matt Preston said:

These are two charities that are close to my heart and that I have been involved with for almost 10 years. I hope more Australians can find it in their hearts to support Scarf and SecondBite and the important work they do just like the Newman’s Own Foundation has, with these generous grants.

“We are thrilled to be acknowledging Matt’s outstanding philanthropic efforts," said Dimity Pinto, Australian Advisor, Newman’s Own Foundation. “His charity choices really reflect the dramatic increase in need for food security and support for the hospitality industry as Covid-19 takes a toll on the community nationwide.”

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Newman’s Own Foundation

Paul Newman was committed to helping make the world a better place. To carry on his philanthropic legacy, Newman’s Own Foundation donates to charity all net royalties and profits it receives from the sale of Newman’s Own products. To date, Paul Newman and Newman’s Own Foundation have given over $500 USD million to thousands of charities around the world.

www.newmansownfoundation.org

www.paulnewmansown.com.au  

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Cover Photo: Mir and Hannah from the Scarf team with Matt Preston at hospitality co-working space Worksmith, where Scarf enjoys sponsored membership. Photo: Fiona Hamilton.