FAR North Queensland businesses now have a superb opportunity to give employees convenient access to food, drinks and healthy snacks while supporting a local charity at the same time, thanks to the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation’s new vending machine initiative.
The Foundation, which celebrates its 25th birthday this year, is now coordinating and managing a wide range of convenient vending services for local businesses using DKS Vending .
“Using vending machines like those available from the Foundation in the workplace, is a fantastic way to ensure your employees have access to food right at the office or work site, with the added advantage of supporting the Foundation in the process,” Foundation CEO Gina Hogan said.
“A key element to workplace productivity is ensuring your employees have adequate access to food, drinks and healthy snacks.”
The only expense for business is the small amount of electricity required to keep the machine running. Everything else is organised and covered by the Foundation. In addition, the highly functioning machines are stocked with healthy, nutritious food, drinks or whatever snacks businesses want.
BUSY School Cairns Campus joined the Foundation’s initiative after principal Naomi Vucas realised how much money their existing vending machine received and decided to put that money to good use by supporting a very worthy cause.
“Through this work BUSY Schools support their students with school lunches and available snacks, and the Foundation’s vending machine allows the students to have range of choice,” she said. “All monies from the vending machine go to the Foundation which is a charity near and dear to the staff and students of BUSY Schools Cairns Campus.”
BUSY Schools Cairns supports disengaged young people in years 11 and 12 to gain their QCE while offering help and guidance.
The Foundation has raised more than $25 million to help improve health care in the Far North since its inception. Its commercial activities, like the vending machines, cover all its administrative costs, meaning every cent donated to the Foundation goes exactly to where it is intended.
Among the Foundation’s achievements are supporting more than $1.5 million worth of research since 2009, contributing $1.4 million to bring electrophysiology to cardiac services in FNQ and providing $2.9 million worth of COVID-19 related equipment to support Cairns and regional hospitals, to name just a few of its numerous accomplishments.
Businesses keen to enjoy the benefits of vending machines in their workplace for their staff and customers while supporting the community at the same time can contact the Foundation on 4226 6553.
Five great benefits of vending machines
1. Low overheads – Your only cost is the small amount of electricity required to keep it running
2. Improved Productivity – Less time commuting for food means staff can grab a quick snack in between meetings or spend a little longer enjoying their meal at lunch, rather than rushing to eat it before their break is over
3. Support Lifestyle Goals – Our machines can be stocked with a wide range of nutritious snacks to ensure your employees always have access to healthy alternatives
4. 24/7 Access – with Tap n Go, everyone from the 9-5 crew to the night-shift superstars will be able to benefit from the convenience of an on-site vending machine
5. Make a positive difference to the community – we are committed to providing high-functioning vending machines stocked with healthy, nutritious food and drinks while using proceeds to support the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation
Photo: Busy Schools' Marney Fichera, Foundation CEO Gina Hogan, students Lara Armatas, Busy Schools' Naomi Vucas and Foundation financial controller Joe Cristaldi.
