Beswick's general store has experienced booming sales during the pandemic restrictions.
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With roadblocks in place to restrict travel to remote biosecurity regions, and a lift in welfare payments, the store has seen an almost doubling of sales.
Sales climbed to more than 90 per cent through the peak of biosecurity restrictions.
Not only did the store ensure a secure food supply for its own community, it also supported many people who were regularly travelling from neighbouring communities Barunga and Manyallaluk to do their shopping.
"The community was grateful to see a well-stocked store during the COVID-19 restrictions," Beswick Store committee chair Peter Lindsay said.
"Outback Stores who manage our store on our behalf, organised extra deliveries and made sure we had enough food," he said.
"Beswick became the food security hub for multiple communities in the area. Our sales went through the roof.
"We were so busy, the store managers had to ask the directors to help people coming in and out of the store to maintain social distancing."
The store's directors decided to re-invest $10,000 straight back into the community by way of $50 store vouchers to purchase meat and fresh fruit and vegetables.
"This is not only for Beswick, but for the other communities as well. I know people really appreciated the gesture. It was great seeing more people eating healthy food," Mr Lindsay said.
Outback Stores has recently helped the store apply for funding to install solar panels to reduce power costs, saving more than $30,000 a year.
"We can now put more money back into things that people need and want to see, like support for disadvantaged families with funeral arrangements, using the community bus to assist with transport, sports carnivals, a Christmas Party and maybe even a Beswick Festival in the future," Mr Lindsay said.
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