Tony’s epic climb for a cause

Tony hiking Mount Kilimanjaro to raise funds for Foodbank WA

When Tony set out to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, it wasn’t just about reaching the summit.

It was about making a difference for Western Australians doing it tough. So far, Tony has raised an incredible $6,200 for Foodbank WA, and the donations are still climbing. 

The trek was nothing short of an epic adventure. 

Kilimanjaro threw everything at him – breathtaking scenery, harsh conditions and a mental and physical challenge like no other. Sleep was scarce, averaging just four hours a night. On summit night, Tony managed only 30 to 60 minutes of rest before starting the final push at 11.00pm. For eight and a half hours, he battled steep inclines, thinning oxygen, and freezing temperatures. By the time he reached the summit at 7.20am, the air held just 50% oxygen and the temperature had plunged to minus 13 degrees with a biting wind chill.

After 40 minutes at the top, standing proudly at 5,895 metres and reading that iconic sign, Tony began the gruelling descent – six hours of steep decline to camp, followed by another 14 kilometres the next day. His knees, thighs and hips were pushed to the limit.

So what kept him going? “The will to succeed and not let myself down,” Tony says. “I didn’t want to let down the people who supported the cause, or face my work colleagues and friends if I didn’t make it!”

Despite the pain points, there were moments of pure joy. The excitement of each milestone, the thrill of summiting and the sense of achievement when he finally walked back through the national park gates.

Tony’s determination is inspiring, and his fundraising will help us provide meals and support to thousands of Western Australians facing food stress. Every dollar counts, and Tony’s climb shows the incredible things people can do when they care about their community.

Want to support Tony’s effort? Donations are still open, and every contribution helps us feed, educate, and advocate for those in need. 

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When life changes in a single phone call 

Grandmother hugging granddaughter FoodbankWA

Chinta still remembers the phone call. 

She was camping down south with her husband when the Department of Child Protection rang. The voice was calm but urgent. They needed to know that day if she could take her granddaughter into her care. If not, the baby would go into foster care. 

“We packed up straight away and drove back to Perth. It was confronting. I didn’t expect this,” she says. 

Her granddaughter was just two months old then. Today, she’s six, almost seven, and the light of Chinta’s life. But the road to here hasn’t been easy.

When Chinta’s son ended up in prison and his partner struggled with hardship and homelessness, the call came. For the first three years, the child’s mother only visited two or three times. “I guess the writing was on the wall,” Chinta reflects. “I never thought I’d be raising his child full-time.”

For Chinta, who already had eight children, it felt like starting all over again. Her youngest was 14 at the time, her oldest 45. “It felt like I’d never left parenting,” she laughs. “But we accepted that family had to look after family. And we just enjoyed her growing up.”

Her three sons who still live at home treat the little girl like a sister. That’s made all the difference.

It hasn’t been without pain. The child’s mother has turned her life around. She’s expecting her third baby and slowly reconnecting with her firstborn. Chinta encourages the bond, even though it hurts. “She deserves a second chance. They both do,” she says. “Maybe next year, she’ll be ready to live with her mum. My granddaughter has mixed feelings, but I tell her to explore the idea. I’ll support them both, no matter what.”

When asked what she wishes people understood about grandparents raising grandchildren, Chinta doesn’t hesitate. “Whatever the situation, you have to have patience. You never know what someone is going through. We’re lucky – we own our home. But with three sons and a granddaughter living here, everything adds up. Support from friends and community means the world.”

She shares a hard truth too. “You don’t know what’s around the corner. Just enjoy them. They grow so quickly. She’ll be seven next year – I can’t believe it.”

Chinta first heard about Foodbank through Wanslea. For the past three years, she’s been a customer, visiting our Perth Airport branch about five times a year when things get really tight. “It makes a difference,” she says. “Milk, bread, veggies, yoghurt – my granddaughter loves yoghurt! There’s always something different, and it makes you creative in the kitchen. If you have flour, sugar, eggs – you have food. Be grateful for what you have.”

With the cost-of-living crisis biting hard, Chinta knows how vital Foodbank is. “It’s a wonderful organisation. We need it in this country. Prices seem to go up every day – it’s scary.”

Chinta’s story is one of resilience, love and second chances. She’s proof that family can rise above hardship when hearts stay open. Her advice? “Reach out for help. Community organisations like Foodbank make a difference. And just love them – your kids, your grandkids. They grow so fast.” 

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Important Update

Grogan Road Closure

Customers loading the car with groceries from a Mobile Foodbank location

Please be aware that from Monday, 12 January 2026, part of Grogan Road will be permanently closed. 

This means any visitors or customers to Foodbank Perth will no longer be able to drive or walk on Grogan Road between Horrie Miller Drive and Abbott Road




Grogan Road closure map

To ensure the least disruption, we recommend using Abernethy Road, which will remain open and provide the most direct access to our premises. 

Please refer to the map provided for a clear overview of the suggested detour route.

This change may affect some public transport routes, so check the latest updates at Transperth.

Thanks for your understanding as we adjust to these changes.

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Kick goals for the community 

Perth Glory team celebrating a goal

Hunger is on the rise in Western Australia, but together with Perth Glory we’re kicking goals for the community. 

On Friday, 13 February 2026, Perth Glory FC will take to the pitch for their annual Charity Game Day, proudly supporting Foodbank WA. This special fixture isn’t just another match, it’s a mission to get food and groceries to the Western Australians who need it most. 

Across the state, too many families are feeling the strain of rising living costs. We are assisting record numbers at our branches and Mobile Foodbanks as demand continues to grow. Every day, we see the difference your support makes. For many people, accessing our services isn’t just about food, it’s about dignity and hope.

This year’s Charity Game Day brings fans, players and the community together with one powerful goal: to ensure no Western Australian goes without. Every $1 donated creates two meals, making even the smallest contribution go a long way for someone in need.

We need volunteers to help make the day a success!

From greeting fans to supporting game day activities, your time will help us raise vital funds and awareness. If you’re available on 13 February and want to be part of something special, please register your interest today.

Whether you’re cheering from the stands, volunteering on the day or donating online, your generosity helps us provide food, hope and connection. Sign up to volunteer at fundraising@foodbankwa.org.au.

Together, we can feed change

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We went bananas 

Thais holding a banana pretending to be a telephone

If you spotted a few extra bananas in our branches last year, you weren’t imagining things. 

We received an incredible 8,475kg thanks to our amazing national partners PremierFresh and our banana-growing friends in Queensland at ABC. 

And they’ve stepped it up even more. PremierFresh and ABC donated three bins of bananas every week to us here in Western Australia up until Christmas last year. Considering how hard it is to source bananas locally, we’re so grateful they make the epic journey from Far North Queensland. That’s a seriously long trip!

To make sure they’re ready for our customers quickly, PremierFresh treats the bananas when they arrive to speed up ripening. Fun fact: when bananas leave the farm, they’re dark green and rock solid.

A huge shout-out to Blenners Transport for getting them here. It’s probably the biggest banana run in Australia!

Right now, these bananas are shared between our Perth, Peel and Bunbury branches. We’re planning to trial deliveries to Geraldton, Albany and Kalgoorlie soon, but the distance makes it a challenge. Watch this space. 

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A special visit before Christmas 

Government House donation during Christmas 2025

We were delighted to welcome our patrons, Governor Chris Dawson and Mrs Darrilyn Dawson, along with Board Director Steve Harris,

to our Perth branch during one of our busiest mornings before Christmas. 

Their visit came at a time when demand was particularly high. In the lead-up to the festive season, hundreds of families rely on us to help put food on the table. With the shop buzzing as customers completed their last-minute Christmas shopping, the Governor saw firsthand the impact of the work our teams deliver every day.

The Governor and Mrs Dawson also arrived with a generous donation made possible by visitors to Government House — 316kg of essential food and supplies, providing the equivalent of 569 meals for people experiencing food insecurity.

This contribution made a real difference during a crucial time of year. We extend our sincere thanks to the Governor for his continued advocacy and support, helping more families enjoy the festive season with dignity, care and hope. 

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A Christmas that truly mattered 

Christmas in the Park Event

For many Western Australians, Christmas can be a tough time. 

That’s why events like Christmas Lunch in the Park are so important. Our team joined hundreds of volunteers to help create a welcoming space for 1,600 people doing it tough, sharing a meal and a sense of community. 

We were proud to be part of Mission Australia’s Christmas Lunch in the Park again. For many, the festive season can be tough. Rising living costs and food insecurity mean some families and individuals face Christmas without a meal or company. That’s why this event matters.

Our team joined hundreds of volunteers to create a welcoming space for around 1,600 people on Christmas Day. Everyone shared a meal and felt part of a community.

Kate and Arnya led the CocoLoco ball-making squad, joined by friends from Government House and their nearest and dearest. It was wonderful to have a presence at an event that’s about more than food it’s about dignity and care.

Christmas Lunch in the Park reflects what we stand for: feeding, educating and advocating for those in need. Every plate served is a reminder that no one should go hungry, especially at Christmas.

We’re grateful to work alongside incredible partners and volunteers who make this day possible.

A big thank you to Kate, Arnya and Nicola for pulling the event together, as well as the Warehouse team who assisted with the goodies bags, and to everyone who helped bring it to life. Together, we’re making a difference for Western Australians who need it most.

 

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Discover our Superhero Foods HQ 

Superhero Foods HQ website

Looking for a way to keep kids engaged and learning during the school holidays?

Superhero Foods® HQ is the perfect place to start. It’s an online hub packed with resources that make healthy eating exciting for children and families. 

At Superhero Foods HQ, you’ll find nutrition lesson plans to help kids understand the importance of healthy food choices, healthy recipes that are easy to make and taste great and fun activities designed to teach nutrition in an interactive way

Whether you’re a parent, teacher or carer, these resources are free and ready to use. They’re ideal for holiday projects, rainy-day activities or simply encouraging kids to explore healthy habits in a creative way.

Visit superherofoodshq.org.au today and discover how learning about food can be fun, colourful and inspiring. It’s a great tool to keep young minds active while promoting lifelong healthy habits. 

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Meet Conor

Conor holding his certificate surrounded by his family

Conor is an exceptional young man. 

At just 11 years old, he’s already thinking about how to make the world a better place. 

Through his school, Conor learned about the Citizenship Award and immediately knew he wanted to take part. He chose to focus his project on Foodbank WA.

The Citizenship Award gives Year 6 students in the Darling Range Learning Community the chance to show strong citizenship in one of three areas: self and family, school or community. Students select an area to create positive change, complete a small project and, by the end, make a meaningful difference while joining hundreds of past participants in this respected award.

Conor’s connection to Foodbank WA began during Covid. His parents saw a Facebook post about our branches running low on food because of panic buying. They decided to help, spending $20 at their local supermarket and delivering the food to our warehouse the next day. Since then, they’ve continued to support our Christmas appeals.

Conor also understands the importance of food on a personal level. He has a gastrostomy, a surgically inserted tube in his abdomen, and doesn’t eat like most people. This experience has given him and his family a deep appreciation of how vital food is.

Huge congratulations to Conor, who placed third in his school for his assignment, which you can see here.

Thank you to the Balfe family for raising awareness of food insecurity in our community. With young people like Conor, we know our cause will continue to be heard far and wide. 

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Staying food safe in the summer heat 

Frozen food

With temperatures climbing throughout summer, keeping food safe becomes especially important. 

Hot weather allows bacteria to grow quickly, which means food can spoil much faster than usual. For families working hard to stretch groceries and make the most of every meal, preventing food waste is not just good for our health; it also saves money and helps reduce the amount of food ending up in landfill. 

Perishable foods like meat, dairy, cooked meals and fresh produce should be refrigerated as soon as you return home. If you are collecting food hampers or shopping on a hot day, bringing along a cooler bag, lunch cooler or insulated backpack can help protect your food in transit. Don’t worry if you don’t have freezer blocks. Frozen bottles of water or even a bag of frozen veggies will work just as well to keep your shopping cool on the way home.

A handy guide is the “2-hour, 4-hour rule”: 

  • Food kept out at room temp for less than 2 hours is safe to eat and/or store for eating later.
  • Food left out for more than 2 hours but less than four is safe to eat now, but shouldn’t be stored to eat another time (the increased bacteria in the food shouldn’t be given more time to grow to unsafe levels to be eaten on another occasion).
  • Food left out at room temp for more than 4 hours is unsafe to eat and should be avoided.
  • Room temperature is in the “temperature danger zone” of between 5-60*C, where bacteria thrive and multiply quickly and so food left out in the “danger zone” can actually cause food poisoning and make us ill.
  • During summer the general heat means it might take less time than 2/4hours.

Another great tip is to keep your fridge temperature below 5°C. If your fridge struggles in the heat, try storing bottles of cold water inside to help stabilise the temperature. Also avoid overpacking, cold air needs room to circulate. In the freezer, keeping it full actually helps it stay colder and run more efficiently.

Leftovers are great for saving money and time, but please remember they must be cooled safely. Divide large meals (such as rice dishes or pasta) into smaller shallow containers so they cool down faster. Place them in the fridge once the steam has gone, not hours later.

In summer, smaller, more frequent shopping trips (if possible) can reduce the pressure on fridge space and help avoid spoilage. If you have access to a phone or computer, technology can help too; setting reminders to check fridge temperatures, planning meals around what needs to be used soon, or looking up safe storage tips is easier than ever.

By taking small steps to store and handle food safely, we can help keep our families healthy, make our groceries go further and reduce unnecessary waste, especially during the hottest months of the year. Staying food aware is a simple way to care for our households, our wallets and the environment

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