Bunnings sausage sizzles have raised $2.9 million for community causes across Australia in the past financial year.
Rotary International, shared the amount raised from the 2,450 weekend barbecues this year, with sausages selling for $3.50 each.
Rotary International director Jennifer Scott said nearly “all” of the money raised “goes back into local communities”.
Groups including sporting clubs, schools and community organisations can host sausage sizzles to raise money for causes of their choice.
Some of the funds have helped support emergency food relief, improve accessibility for children with disabilities and repair community facilities.
“We work with kids with disabilities. There’s one club that has put in a spinning thing at the park so kids with wheelchairs can enjoy it,” Scott said.
“They had to raise $30,000, so it’s taken a few years and many sausage sizzles.”
Another club raised money to replace the roof of a scouting hall containing asbestos, while Rotary volunteers have also planted trees in the upper Blue Mountains to support a new emerging koala population.
Scott said a typical Rotary sausage sizzle raises between $1,000 and $1,500, with one club raising $3,000 in a single day.
Bunnings provides equipment such as gas and barbecues, helping community groups keep more of the money they raise.
Scott said the sausage sizzles also provided an opportunity for volunteers to connect with their local communities.
“It’s more than just selling a sausage. It’s hearing from people in the community,” she said.
Rotary is now aiming to raise more than $3 million through the sausage sizzles in the next financial year.
Bunnings head of community, partnerships and events Michelle Walter said the retailer was proud of its long-standing relationship with Rotary.
“Every sausage sizzle is powered by passionate volunteers and generous customers, and together they help raise vital funds that support people and projects where they’re needed most,” she said.
Image: Rotary International
