IN any small town, there is a beating heart of locals who are dedicated to what they do so their community can thrive and grow.
Andrew Marshall and his team at Mansfield FoodWorks have been part of the community since April 2000 and imbibe that spirit perfectly, providing a local supermarket with a good variety of grocery lines, fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, deli options, liquor and so much more.
They are also proud supporters and sponsors of local sports clubs including the Bonnie Doon Football and Netball Club, Mansfield Football and Netball Club, the Soccer Club, the Mansfield Golf Club and Charity Golf Day, the Mansfield Half Marathon, the Merrijig Rodeo and the Mansfield Races.
In addition to this, they support and sponsor the CFA, Pony Club, Mansfield American Motorcycle Club, numerous events and fundraisers at Mt. Buller, the Mansfield Show, Arts Mansfield, the Mansfield RSL and many more.
They are even the proud supporters of Mt Buller local and Gold Medal Olympian Jakara Anthony.
The whole team are so dedicated to giving back to their community, that during Book Week celebrations each August, staff dress up and read stories to primary school kids.
"Supporting youth is a major focus of our business," store manager Andrew Marshall said.
"Whether it is through school run programs or providing work pathways, we are very passionate about supporting the future of our community."
Mansfield FoodWorks donates and raises funds for Skyline Education Foundation Australia to support kids within their local community.
Skyline provides assistance and support to students in years 11 and 12 who show high potential but may not have the resources or backing behind them to succeed.
The supermarket, along with Mansfield Secondary College, was instrumental in introducing the program into Mansfield in 2019.
If you would like more information about Skyline visit skylinefoundation.org.au.
For the Mansfield Foodworks team, giving back to the community is very personal.
Being part of a tight–knit working environment the team were devastated by the loss of dear friend and colleague May Bird to Motor Neuron Disease (MND) in late 2020.
It spurred the FoodWorks team on to step up their fundraising efforts for FightMND in memory of May.
Driven by Store Manager, Andrew Marshall, and (then) Assistant Store Manager, Karen McGregor, and the wider team, the store raised more than $4,000 for the cause throughout 2021.
They have followed this in 2022 with what has now become a tradition – wearing their May Bird buttons and beanies, selling additional ones and having sausage sizzles, raffles and collection tins available to raise as much as possible for FightMND with the assistance of the community.
"We firmly believe that you give back to the hand that feeds you; therefore, we have always been committed to supporting community organisations, events and its people," Mr Marshall said.
"From sausage sizzles to club sponsorships our store is an active participant in this community and our people are members of the CFA, hospital auxiliaries and footy clubs.
"We live and contribute back to the communities we work in and we understand the importance of community organisations relying on the support of local businesses – without that support they wouldn't be able to operate in the capacity they do."
Andrew said that while they support the community that supports them, they are extremely grateful and thankful for all their staff and customers over what has been a difficult few years.
Mansfield FoodWorks is open from 7.30am to 8pm, 7 days a week.