The COVID-19 news we dreaded: Bunnings sausage sizzles have been suspended
How the hell did we miss this?
If you thought the cancellation of Skyfire, Canberra Airport’s Open Day and the Groovin’ the Moo festival was sad, welcome to this horrid news.
Bunnings stores across Canberra have confirmed that while stores remain open for now, the sausage sizzles out front are suspended until further notice.
The new measures leave Bunnings customers in Fyshwick, Belconnen, Tuggeranong, Gungahlin and at the airport sausage-less, but more importantly they leave sporting and activity groups, schools and other charities across the ACT seriously short on fundraising dollars.
“We’ve spoken to community groups and learned of the challenges many groups are facing finding volunteers and even supplies to sell,” Bunnings managing director Mike Schneider said.
“We absolutely understand the important role these sausage sizzles play for thousands of local community groups and charities and that finding alternative fundraising opportunities at short notice isn’t easy.”
While the Australian Government has not yet banned gatherings of less than 100 people in a specific area, Bunnings has decided in the current climate, its primary focus should be on selling products.
“To assist community groups who have sausage sizzles booked over the next month, our store teams will donate $500 gift cards to these local organisations to assist with their fundraising activities. Across Australia and NZ, this represents an investment into local communities of over $1.2m.”
Bunnings has cancelled all other planned in-store activities until further notice, including its Easter and Mother’s Day family nights, school holiday workshops and trade breakfasts.
“There’s no doubt that our decision will disappoint some people in the community and we can’t wait to bring this much-loved community program back,” Mike said.
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About the Author: Bree Element
Part bogan, part wannabe plus-size model and part journalist, Bree's the woman behind Q! News. She's a pop culture obsessive who's deeply in love with her hometown, Queanbeyan, and the neighbouring capital. A born storyteller, she's been writing locally, nationally and internationally for more than 25 years.
