The Buderim Foundation has had its allocation of funds to help parents with back-to-school expenses more than doubled this year.

The Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR), which operates the programme, has allocated $12,500 to the Buderim Foundation - one of only three community associations to get an allocation - because they believe the Buderim organisation is one of the stronger community foundations..

Starting a new school year can be difficult for parents who have to find resources to get students ready for school.

School books, school uniforms and other necessities are expensive items for many parents and each year for the past three years the Buderim Foundation has handed out 100 $50 vouchers, via schools, charities and other organisations, to help parents buy these items. This year the number distributed has more than doubled to 250 $50 vouchers.

The project has been made possible through the FRRR and the Sidney Myer Fund with support from the AXA, VISY, the Bennelong Foundation, the DOXA Youth Foundation and the Estate of the Late Edward Wilson.

Buderim Foundation Board Director Dr Sarah Bird said: "While this may not be a typical community support activity of the Buderim Foundation, we were given the opportunity to get some funds from FRRR for the purpose.

"This is an excellent opportunity for the Buderim Foundation to demonstrate to the community that our organisation can actively support community activities from the grass roots up," said Dr Bird. She said the Foundation had had an excellent response to the programme with parents being overwhelmed and describing the programme as ‘fantastic'.

"We have been able to identify the areas of greatest need and have gained the support of the schools, as well as half a dozen charities and community organizations including St Vincent de Paul, the Integrated Family and Youth Service and the Cindy Mackenzie Breast Cancer Foundation, founded in memory of a young Buderim mum, to distribute the vouchers," she said.

Dr Bird said the grant process maintained privacy and ensured that the families and children in the greatest need obtained the benefits from the program, whilst maintaining full confidentiality for all involved.

"We are proud to have developed strong relationship with FRRR and have extended our appreciation to the other donors for providing this opportunity to help our community."

Buderim Foundation Chairman Mr Gary Hopkins said that the Foundation would continue to identify the current and emerging needs of the community.

"We are building our own fund which we expect will generate enough income to enable us to start making grants later this year for a variety of community projects. "We rely on donations and bequests from community-minded Buderim residents to help build a sizeable fund," he said. "Only the income from the fund will be used as grants."

He added that anyone wanting to make a donation or bequest could contact a Board member, email on info@buderimfoundation.org.au or visit the Foundation's website www.buderimfoundation.org.au or post donations to the Buderim Foundation, PO Box 1408, Buderim, Queensland 4556.