Media Statement

Immediate Release

Interview Opportunities: Foodbank WA CEO, Kate O’Hara

Driving change – Park for a Purpose shines light on hardship in WA

Foodbank Western Australia is proud to announce the upcoming launch of Park for a Purpose – a powerful new fundraising and advocacy initiative set to roll out in early June.

Park for a Purpose is a unique overnight lived-experience event designed to deepen community understanding of the growing number of Western Australians facing housing and food insecurity. Participants will spend the night in their vehicles as part of a carefully curated experience that builds empathy, connection and awareness, while raising vital funds to support Foodbank WA’s frontline services.

This inaugural campaign brings together a strong network of corporate and community partners whose leadership and commitment have been instrumental in bringing the initiative to life. Foodbank WA extends its sincere gratitude to the organisations that have stepped forward as foundation supporters of Park for a Purpose, including presenting partners Brain and Cognitive Function Clinic and Perth Integrated Events Team, major partner Perth Airport, and supporting partners Kinetic, Brollie Brigade and Infrabuild. 

“Perth Airport is incredibly proud to be supporting Foodbank WA’s inaugural Park for a Purpose event. This important initiative will help raise awareness of housing and food insecurity in our community, while raising vital funds to help deliver food relief where it’s needed most.” Said Jason Waters, CEO, Perth Airport.

These partnerships reflect a shared commitment to raising awareness, driving meaningful impact and creating innovative ways to support Western Australians doing it tough. In particular, the involvement of the Brain and Cognitive Function Clinic and Perth Integrated Events Team will enrich the experience through thought leadership, learning opportunities and meaningful engagement across business and community networks.

Foodbank is proud to be launching Park for a Purpose alongside such a committed group of partners and supporters.

“This experience initiative goes far beyond fundraising,” said Foodbank WA CEO Kate O’Hara. “For a growing number of Western Australians, spending a night in a car isn’t a choice – it’s their reality. Park for a Purpose challenges us to confront that reality, to step outside our comfort zones and truly understand what hardship in our community looks and feels like.

When people come together in this way, it builds awareness and drives action. And that action is critical if we’re going to reach more people, earlier, and stop families from slipping into crisis.

We want to help to keep people in their homes.”

Park for a Purpose has been designed as a respectful, purpose-led experience that brings together business leaders, partners and community members to encourage reflection, learning and action. Rather than attempting to replicate hardship, the event offers a considered glimpse into lived experience, helping participants better understand the realities faced by many individuals and families across the state.

At its core, Park for a Purpose has a clear and urgent goal: to put another Mobile Foodbank on the road. Funds raised through the initiative will directly support Foodbank WA in expanding its mobile food relief services, reaching people experiencing food insecurity who are unable to access traditional distribution points – including those living in vehicles, caravans or temporary accommodation. 

As demand continues to rise across Western Australia, an additional Mobile Foodbank will enable Foodbank WA to deliver food directly into communities, reach more people sooner, and help prevent individuals and families from reaching crisis point.


Media contact: 
Kath Robinson | Brand and Engagement Manager
kath.robinson@foodbankwa.org.au 


About Foodbank WA 

Hello, we’re Foodbank WA. We believe everyone should have access to healthy food. There are Western Australians going without every day, and we are working hard to change that.

We provide food and groceries to those who struggle to afford them. We also deliver nutrition education to promote healthy eating and advocate on behalf of people that experience hunger and food insecurity.

We are here to support Western Australians in times of need. We do this through:

  • Providing 9.3 million meals last financial year to those who were doing it tough
  • Distributing food and groceries through 550 frontline charities
  • Providing breakfast and fruit to 550 schools feeding 27,300 children weekly
  • Delivering nutrition education attendances to over 6,546 children, adults and parents 

We work with farmers, wholesalers, manufactures and retailers who donate and redirect surplus product to us. This also plays a vital role in tackling food waste and positively contributes to climate change by reducing CO2 emissions arising from landfill.

Our purpose is to Feed. Educate. Advocate.