Hungry Queensland children fall through the cracks

As Queensland lockdowns cause an increase in demand for food relief, the state’s largest hunger relief charity, Foodbank Queensland, launches the Foodbank Hunger Drive raising vital funds to help hungry families falling through the cracks.

Foodbank Queensland CEO Sara Harrup said 22% of Queenslanders experiencing hunger were children, with many children going to school without breakfast or lunch.

“With the impacts of COVID-19 placing extreme pressures on families, many parents are facing the scary reality of not being able to feed their kids.”

“Our School Breakfast Program is vital for children facing hunger, but sadly, 79 Queensland schools are currently on Foodbank’s growing waitlist for nutritious breakfast foods to help give hungry kids the energy they need to learn and thrive,” Ms Harrup said.

After waiting for more than 6 months, Burketown State School, a primary school located in an isolated far North West Queensland town, recently began a Foodbank school breakfast program to help combat the challenge of school attendance.

Chris Ford, Burketown State School Principal, said with the help of Foodbank, they can now provide a healthy breakfast five days a week for up to 40 students, nearly the whole school, to give children the best start to their school day.

“Many students wouldn’t come to school because they had nothing to eat for breakfast and had no lunch to bring to school.”

“We recently received our first delivery from Foodbank, and it has made such a difference in reducing the barriers children face when coming to school,” Mr Ford said.

The Foodbank Hunger Drive is calling on schools, individuals and organisations to join the fight against hunger by creating a Hunger Drive fundraiser or donating food hampers virtually.

Charlee Oddo, a Grade 5 student at Queen of Apostles Primary School who features in the Hunger Drive promo video said she was helping to organise a superhero free dress day at her school and encouraging her classmates to dress up as ‘Hunger Fighters’ to raise vital funds.

“This September, my school has signed up to fight hunger to help Foodbank supply half a million meals to Queenslanders in need. Every one dollar we raise for the Foodbank Hunger Drive will create two nutritious meals for families going hungry,” she said.

Kym Waters, Assistant Principal Religious Education at Queen of Apostles said the school was proud to be supporting the Foodbank Hunger Drive and creating opportunities for students to be involved in social justice issues to make a difference to the lives of others.  

“Our superhero dress up day is part of a larger focus to not only fundraise but educate our school community and their families about food insecurity, which has increased since the pandemic.”

“It also teaches the students about ways in which we can work together to sustainably address this issue through reducing food waste and supporting the front-line charities that work with our vulnerable Australians,” she said.

Ms Harrup said the charity was currently distributing more than 115,000 kilograms of food every three days, and this was still not enough to keep up with the growing demand for emergency food relief across the state.

“Food is rushing out the door faster than ever before, and we are struggling to keep up,” Ms Harrup said.

High profile ‘Hunger Fighters’ supporting the campaign include Brisbane Broncos’ Scott Prince and 7News Reporter Kendall Gilding.

Kendall Gilding said as a proud Ambassador of Foodbank she was holding a Hunger Drive fundraiser at work this September to fight hunger.

“People often don’t realise how close to home hunger is across our state – sadly, one in five Queenslanders are dealing with the anguish and despair of not knowing where their next meal will come from,” she said.

“Together, we can help our friends, neighbours and colleagues who are struggling to make ends meet during these stressful and unpredictable times,” Kendall said.

Scott Prince said tackling hunger here in Queensland was a massive team effort.

“I am proud to be supporting the Hunger Drive and helping Foodbank raise vital funds to source and deliver more food across our state to Queenslanders in crisis.”

“Whether you make a one-off donation or create a Hunger Drive fundraiser, you can make a big difference to the lives of vulnerable Queenslanders,” he said.

Supporting the Hunger Drive campaign is Foodbank’s partner Sunny Queen Australia who is matching all donations made to the Hunger Drive in September to help twice as many people in need.

ENDS

For media enquiries, contact Zoe Templeton, Marketing & Communications Specialist:

M: 0435 133 601
E: zoe@foodbankqld.org.au

JEANETTE’S STORY

Jeanette was surviving on her children’s leftover food scraps.

Jeanette was a stay-at-home mum, living a comfortable middle-class lifestyle in Logan, when everything changed overnight. Very soon, Jeanette was terrified and unwell. She was going hungry.

Mum-of-four Jeanette and her partner owned a thriving martial arts business. They never had to struggle. Then, one day, Jeanette’s partner unexpectedly said he was leaving for another woman. He froze her out of their business and took all the money from their shared account.

Having spent the last decade as a full-time parent, Jeanette had limited job training and prospects. Her ex was now refusing to pay child support. She had no idea how she would provide for her four children, ages from 7 to 20, completely on her own.

“My children were devastated. They didn’t understand. We had to give our family dog away because we couldn’t afford to feed him. It was the worst feeling.” – Jeanette

Jeanette’s rent combined with car loan repayments was more than she could afford, but she had no choice. Then the family received more terrible news. Her eight-year-old son, Patterson, was diagnosed with a rare cancer. He needed several months of life-saving treatment. It was a heartbreaking, overwhelming time, made worse as Jeanette struggled to feed her family.

To keep dinner on the table, Jeanette would carefully plan her shopping list, to the last cent. She’d always served her kids fruit and vegetables. But her low single income did not cover the healthy foods growing kids need. “Dinner was usually built around frozen vegetables and two-minute noodles.” – Jeanette

So that her kids didn’t go hungry, Jeanette would go without proper meals, often for a week at a time. She’d try to hide her hunger – especially from her children.

“I’d have swigs of milk, a slice of bread, or drink lots of water to stay full. Whatever the kids didn’t eat after dinner, if there were peas or anything on their plates, I’d just scoff them down. I was sick and depressed.” – Jeanette

At the scariest time in her life, Jeanette got thrown a lifeline. A friend who knew her struggles said that a Foodbank Member Charity could provide her with food essentials. “From that moment, I felt this huge relief: I knew I would eat that night,” she says.

Because of Foodbank supporters like you, later that day Jeanette went home with a box of fruit and vegetables, cheese, butter, canned goods, pasta, and even some sausages.

“The kids thought it was Christmas! From that moment, I felt this huge relief. I knew we would eat well that night. Over the next 18 months, I was grateful to receive Foodbank’s support while I got back on my feet. I could make good home-cooked meals for my kids, like tuna mornay and apricot chicken.” – Jeanette

Something relatively simple – but vital – like having regular meals was life-changing for Jeanette. Soon, her physical and mental health improved with proper nutrition. She gained strength and determination to study and worked towards a new career. Today she is making a difference as a Carer, to people with major spinal injuries. In some more great news, Patterson is in remission from cancer and Jeanette can afford to feed him healthy food that keeps him feeling great.

“Being able to eat properly is one of the most important things in life. Support from Foodbank meant I could put time and money aside to study for a career that lets me support my family. Today I can focus on being a positive parent and moving forward with my career. If my children see me doing that, they will want the same.” – Jeanette

In a touching end to a very tough time, Jeanette’ family has also gained a wriggly, furry family member. Their dog Kobe is a source of joy. He reminds Jeanette how far she has come since she couldn’t afford to feed herself, let alone a pet.

“I’ve always wanted to say thank you to Foodbank supporters for playing a big role in my journey. Many single parents know what it’s like to go hungry like I did to keep their children fed. If it wasn’t for Foodbank I don’t know how I could have kept going.” – Jeanette

Your generosity will help families like Jeanette’s receive the essential groceries they need to get back on their feet.

Every $1 you donate will provide two nutritious meals to someone facing hunger like Jeanette. Thank you for making a difference.

HELP HUNGRY QUEENSLAND FAMILIES LIKE JEANETTE’S

Thanks from Ritsara

After receiving one of our emergency food hampers, Ritsara took the time to send us his thanks and even snapped a pic with the contents of the hamper

“Thank you for delivering my groceries this week; I really don’t know what I’d do without you. Please stay safe while you are keeping us all safe, and know that what you do makes a big positive difference to me.”

Help for Locked Down Residents

(Photo courtesy of ABC Sydney)

When an apartment block in Blacktown got locked down in late July due to COVID-19 cases, Foodbank was there with a hamper ready for each apartment.

One resident, got in touch just after the delivery:

“Hi Foodbank, just to let you know that my mother and I are thankful for the groceries provided for us at this crucial time. We both are doing ok. My only concern is my mother’s heart breaking situation, as she is very unwell. We can get through this biggest problem in the world with love and unity.”

A thanks to our charity partners

One of our charity partners in Seven Hills in Sydney’s West has been working hard to offer food hampers to families affected by the COVID lockdown. Around 60 Families a day are being supported under their contactless drive thru & deliveries.

“We are currently supporting those who were already falling through the cracks before COVID – refugees, asylum seekers and disadvantaged families with children, they’re finding it really tough right now.”

Community Care Seven Hills is one of many hundreds of our charity partners who are helping us to provide essential food relief in lockdown.

Words of thanks from lockdown

Foodbank has worked tirelessly to try to meet the surging need for hunger relief during lockdown. But this has only been possible thanks to thousands of everyday Aussies who have donated and have directly helped to put food on the table for people going hungry.

Here are some messages of thanks that convey just how significant your donation has been to people during this crisis.

“I don’t know how to thank you all. This is very kind of you. The hamper has everything that can go for a week or more. Thanks a million for your support. This was really helpful.”

“I’d just like to say thank you very much for the support that you’ve provided us with these hampers: they will be a great help for me during these tough times. The country I am from is facing worsening conditions with COVID and I worry for the health of my family and friends back home. But this hamper has helped me ease some of my worries.”

“I’m not sure how I was so lucky to get a hamper, but I thank you so much. I’m a single mother on a disability pension and once my rent and bills are paid we live on rations, mostly rice and pasta. I really appreciate this hamper it is of great use for us, as I’m sure it will be for many. I’m always frightened week to week of what food I will have to feed my child. So again, I thank you so much.”

“At this crisis time, I am really thankful to you all for providing me groceries which I was unable to buy due to lack of money as I lost my job. The groceries will now help me for about 3-4 weeks. I was really facing problems which made me believe no one is here to help. But you guys made me believe that humanity does exists. The support I got from you really means a lot to me in this pandemic situation. Thank you so much.”

“I am so grateful to have grocery support from Foodbank. During this time this kind of help has kept me motivated. I wanted to take a moment to thank you for your help.”

“Without assistance like this I would be stealing from shops and supermarkets, and I’ve never wanted to do things like that in the first place. When you’re down and out and have no money, nowhere to live…that’s something I’ve had to do.

I would like to thank you and anyone else who’s involved. Thank you.”

If you would like to donate to continue helping more people in lockdown you can do so here.

A LITTLE GOES A LONG WAY, SAYS MARGARET

Hunger Fighters are a special group of people who give a regular donation to Foodbank every four weeks.

Big-hearted regular donors like Margaret know that even the smallest donation to Foodbank goes a long way.

“Every four weeks I donate $20. That’s all I can afford at the moment. My husband is on a pension, I’m on Centrelink, so there’s not much money there, but we can afford to give that little bit to Foodbank,” said Margaret.

Did you know that every single dollar donated to Foodbank provides two meals? You can make a difference, too. Margaret encourages you to become a Hunger Fighter, too. “Go for it. People need help. We need to get that food out to everybody who is doing it tough.”

If you would like to become a regular donor like Margaret you can sign up here.

“Without hope, I don’t know where we’d be.”

Jenny never imagined she would need help from Foodbank – until her Marital Arts business had to close down during the COVID lockdown.

“We had no income. My husband, who was semi-retired, went back to work driving trucks. He struggled, but we had to get some money in the door to feed us and our boys.

“Before COVID-19 hit, we were partnering with Foodbank, providing veggies from local Goulburn farmers for hampers. Then we ended up needing help, too. We’re still trying to get back on our feet.

“I’m a Foodbank volunteer now. I’m so intensely proud of our community – the way we are looking out for each other. To all those wonderful people who have donated to Foodbank, please keep your donations coming.”

Hungry Aussie families like Jenny’s are so grateful to you for putting food on the table – thank you.

The New Faces of Hunger

Do you remember Leanne and Jack and their young family? Their story in our recent letter touched many hearts… especially the news that little Robert, aged just 11, had a heart attack, then a further illness, Sydenham’s Chorea.

It was hard to believe that one young couple had to cope with so much in such a short time. The reality is, this is just one story among hundreds; hard-working Aussie families who never in their wildest dreams imagined they would be facing such hardship.

Your kind response to this appeal made a huge difference. Foodbank has delivered food hampers brimming with ingredients for healthy meals
to Leanne and Jack to feed their kids, and other families, too.

Leanne and Jack face many hard days ahead. Jack has still not secured a job. Robert is struggling to cope with his new medicine. And they are not alone.

Families who have never needed help to put food on the table for their children are now desperate, and it could be anyone, in your street or the school yard.

Groups like Deloitte Access Economics estimate the further loss of 145,000 jobs over the next two years. That’s countless thousands more families going hungry. And that’s why Foodbank is aiming to deliver an extra 2.7 million meals a month to families in need.

Thank you so much for your care and support for families like Leanne and Jack’s. Knowing that people like you care so much about them brings such comfort. Your generosity is bringing hope and filling empty tummies.

Your kindness changed everything for Glenn

“I lost the business, I lost my house, I lost my car, everything. It was unbelievable.”

Last year, Glenn’s visa travel business wore the full impact of COVID-19. “Christmas time was always slow. There was the bushfires, followed by floods. People weren’t traveling. Then as soon as COVID hit, bang, everything stopped straightaway. I had seven staff. We had to put everyone off and close the doors.”

Glenn’s friends loaned him money to do his house up and sell for maximum value. With what was left, he bought a small home in Wingham on the NSW North Coast to start over. But sadly, Glenn was once again plunged into turmoil in the disastrous NSW floods.

“I got up at 2am to look down the hill and the water was almost at my house. It just kept coming and coming. I was luckier than others, but I couldn’t believe disaster had struck again.”

Glenn says receiving his Crisis Hamper after the floods was ‘a little ray of sunshine’. “For me, being single and for the families on my street, it was like a breath of fresh air. Such a beautiful gift to receive in a time of need.”