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Camperdown Community House
We headed out to dairy country last week. The team at Camperdown Community House have been doing a wonderful job supporting their community through COVID-19.
A Thank You from Louise
Louise wanted to say thanks for your support. Please watch her special message below.
School Spotlight: Rosamond School
Located in Braybrook in Melbourne’s west, Rosamond School provide early, primary, secondary and post compulsory education for special needs students aged five to 18 years. With a focus on individual learning, the school’s dedicated team of teachers and education support staff work collaboratively with stakeholders in each child’s network to develop goals which are achievable, purposeful, and challenging, allowing students to reach to their full potential in a supportive learning environment.
Rosamond School offers a daily Breakfast Club at 8.45am, inviting students from all year levels to come together and enjoy a healthy breakfast in a friendly and inclusive environment. Program Coordinator, Caitlyn O’Callaghan, says the program has been extremely beneficial in providing students a safe space to communicate with both teachers, and other students, while getting a healthy start to the day.
“All students are welcome at Breakfast Club. Students appear to be more settled throughout the day after having breakfast. We’ve also noticed improved concentration levels. Breakfast Club also gives students a safe place to talk to teachers and education support staff. We feel that they tend to open up a lot more within the informal environment Breakfast Club offers. We’ve also noticed improved social skills and connections among those students that come along. It provides a great opportunity for the younger students to interact and learn from others in higher year levels.”
Caitlyn says while the program has been vital to improved learning and focus, it also offers students the opportunity to learn life skills such as manners, patience and how to interact with others in a common eating area, as well as contributing to the school’s vocational learning program. Click here to read about how Rosamond School involve their secondary students as part of vocational learning.
“A small number of Secondary students assist with the running of the program and thrive off the responsibility. It is viewed by both the program and the students as a ‘work experience’ placement. They are involved with preparing the food, cleaning up, supervising, assisting students at the table and modeling correct behavior.”
When asked how the school encourages senior students to facilitate the program, Caitlyn says that “students involved receive acknowledgement in the form of being asked to participate and assist in ‘special events’ being run by the kitchen. As a reward, they are able to prepare themselves a meal or something to eat at the end of each shift. We also celebrate their hard work by acknowledging them in the school magazine.”
While Breakfast Club continues to operate daily, Caitlyn says it has been challenging to re-engage students who have returned to on-campus learning.
“Many families are still working from home and we don’t have the same level of students arriving at school early. However, we are slowly engaging students back into the routine and availability of Breakfast Club. We will be re-evaluating our programs (in 2021) and it is the school’s intention to set up a more structured program at lunch for students to eat in the kitchen during lunchtime. We’d also like to distribute more than just fruit to the classrooms throughout the day, such as fruit cups and milk.”
Read more School Breakfast Club stories
Foodbank sourced record amount of food and grocery relief in 2020
4th FEBRUARY 2021: Foodbank revealed today it sourced a record amount of food and groceries in 2020 to meet the higher demand for food relief due to COVID-19.
Last year, Foodbank obtained 48.8 million kilograms of food and groceries via both donations from the food and grocery sector and the purchase of key staple items, thanks to funding from the Federal Government, corporate Australia and individuals. This record volume of food and groceries equates to 87.9 million meals – an increase of nearly 15 percent on 2019, enabling Foodbank to generate a social return on its activities worth more than $1 billion.
COVID-19 continues to have a devastating impact on many Australians, temporary residents and international students. In March 2020, when the pandemic hit, Foodbank was forced to upscale fast to meet the immediate demand for food relief. Charities reported demand for food and grocery relief increased by an average of 47% throughout the year as businesses closed and jobs were lost. The Foodbank Hunger Report 2020 released in October, revealed more than a quarter (28%) of those experiencing food insecurity due the pandemic had never faced it before.
Foodbank Australia CEO, Brianna Casey, says it has been an incredibly demanding period and the organisation could not have met the urgent need without such widespread and significant support.
“We are so grateful to our very generous donors and partners, who continue to enable us to source essential items and ensure we can quickly get them to those who need them the most. Last year saw us face one crisis after another; off the back of a persistent drought and the catastrophic Black Summer fires, we then had to reach out and ask for even more support in March when COVID-19 hit and unemployment rates skyrocketed.
“In a ‘normal’ year, Foodbank provides relief to more than 815,000 Aussies every month, but 2020 wasn’t a normal year and in the three months from April to July, Foodbank purchased more food and groceries than we had in the previous three years. Without our donors and partners, and the support of the Federal Government, we simply couldn’t have responded in the way we did.”
Foodbank provides food and groceries to over 2,400 charities and 2,500 schools. More than 40% of all food and groceries distributed by Foodbank nationally goes to regional and rural communities. The leading hunger relief organisation works with the entire Australian food and grocery sector including farmers, wholesalers, manufacturers, and retailers who donate and redirect surplus product so it can be distributed and those who need it most via Australia’s charity network.
Foodbank accepts donations of ambient, chilled, fresh food, private label products and personal and household care items. Products may be out of specification, close to expiry, deleted product, surplus to requirement or have damaged or incorrect packaging. If your organisation can help Foodbank provide food and groceries to vulnerable members in our communities, please email supplychain@foodbank.org.au
Ipswich Foodbarn provides vital support to hungry Queenslanders
Ipswich Foodbarn is one of Foodbank Queensland’s Member Charities providing vital food relief to Queenslanders in crisis. The Ipswich charity is open four days a week and offers affordable food hampers and free fresh fruit and vegetables to people doing tough in the local community. Every week, the incredible team at Ipswich Foodbarn supports over 4,500 Queenslanders experiencing hunger.
Qim Kauwhata, Ipswich Foodbarn Managing Director, said due to increasing demand for food relief, the charity is being forced to turn away more than 150 families every day.
“Since COVID-19, we have seen a surge in the number of people seeking support. We try to source enough food to meet demand, but sadly we are telling more and more people each day that we have run out of food.”
“During the two weeks we were open in December, we saw more people seeking support than in October and November combined, with a huge amount of people hoping to receive assistance before we closed our doors until the new year. On the day we reopened in January, a record number of people came for food relief. Unfortunately, a lot were sent away with no food,” Qim said.
COVID-19 has severely impacted Queensland’s hunger crisis, with one-third of hungry Queenslanders having never experienced hunger before the pandemic. Many charities like Ipswich Foodbarn are continually adapting to new regulations and restrictions to ensure they can continue supporting as many people in crisis as possible.
Prior to the pandemic, Queenslanders in need were able to walk into Ipswich Foodbarn and select their own food and groceries. However, due to the COVID-19 restrictions, Ipswich Foodbarn now operates as a ‘drive-through’, where volunteers place pre-packed food relief hampers into cars. Many days there are so many cars lined up that the charity needs to direct traffic.
Ipswich Foodbarn is also one of the few food relief charities that accept Centrepay, which allows people to pay for their food hampers as a deduction from their Centrelink payment.
Foodbank Queensland is proud to have been providing essential food and groceries to Ipswich Foodbarn since 2012. Qim said the charity relies on Foodbank Queensland for 75% of their food.
“Without the help of Foodbank Queensland, we would not have been able to continue to feed the multitudes in Ipswich and surrounding areas,” Qim said.
If you are a Queensland charity, Foodbank Queensland membership is a great way to support your food relief projects, offering your organisation a reliable source of food and groceries all year round.
If you are in a position to help Foodbank Queensland provide more food across the state to support Queenslanders in need, please consider joining the fight against hunger as a regular giver.
EVERY $1 YOU DONATE PROVIDES 2 MEALS TO A QUEENSLANDER IN NEED
TONY’S STORY
Being out of work has put Tony and his family in a desperate situation
“I never thought in a million years that I would be in the position I am now. We try and do everything we possibly can, but some days we literally run out of money.” – Tony
Tony was an active, hard-working family man until a beach accident left him unable to work for six months. He recovered well and was about to go back to his job when an out-of-control motorist ran into his car. With another set of debilitating injuries, Tony found himself in an even worse situation than before.
At the time, Tony was working for a catering company that serviced Brisbane airport. So, when the pandemic hit and his worker’s compensation ran out, there was no way for his employers to keep him on.
“I’ve pawned all my tools and used our savings to try and get by, but for a couple of weeks we were pretty much just living on bread and water – I didn’t know what to do or where to turn.” – Tony
Desperate to put food on his family’s table, Tony came across one of Foodbank Queensland’s local Member Charities. Because he can no longer drive, the charity delivers hampers of nutritious food to his home.
“It’s the highlight of our week knowing there’ll be fresh fruit and veg, bread, and dried foods like pasta and rice. Without this help we would not have made it this far. I take my hat off to Foodbank and the people who donate – it makes all the difference to us as a family.” – Tony
With so many livelihoods lost to COVID-19, too many families like Tony’s all over Queensland are doing it tough right now. Sadly, 1 in 3 Queenslanders facing a hunger crisis had never gone hungry before the pandemic.
With your support, we can make sure our local member charities have enough food to share with families in need, helping them to maintain a healthy, balanced diet.
Your generosity will make sure that families like Tony’s do not go hungry. Thank you for making a difference.
Every $1 you donate will provide two nutritious meals to someone facing hunger like Tony.
HELP HUNGRY QUEENSLANDERS LIKE TONY
HUNGRY KIDS NEED YOUR SUPPORT
Foodbank’s School Breakfast Program vital for hungry children
Did you know, on average, three children in every Queensland classroom arrive at school without breakfast? When a child goes to school hungry and without proper nutrition, there’s much more at stake than just empty tummies, their entire education can be put at risk.
Foodbank Queensland is focused on supporting the thousands of children returning to school from low-income, vulnerable families. Our mission is to make sure that all Queensland children, regardless of their circumstances, have an equal start in life.
A nutritious breakfast is proven to improve attention, memory, behaviour, and attendance, which all leads to happier and healthier children. Foodbank Queensland’s School Breakfast Program provides fresh, healthy breakfasts for thousands of children every week who would have otherwise gone without.
James’s Story
Unfortunately, not all children are able to start the day with breakfast at home. James is one of these children, in desperate need of support.
Like many kids across Queensland, James often goes to school hungry. After a difficult year, James’s parents are struggling to put food on the table. James tries his best, but he finds it difficult to concentrate in class when all he can feel is his tummy rumbling.
Foodbank Queensland’s School Breakfast Program, running in over 300 Queensland schools, is vital for so many kids like James.
Eating breakfast helps kids like James thrive.
If you would like more information about Foodbank’s School Breakfast Program, please click here.
HELP GIVE QUEENSLAND KIDS THE BEST START TO THEIR SCHOOL DAY
YOU’VE MADE A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE FOR HAYLEY
It’s the bravery of mums like Hayley that really shines through during tough times – and it’s the kindness of people like you that keep her going.
After her work as a touch football coach stopped due to COVID-19 restrictions, Hayley realised she would have to ask for help to make ends meet and put food on the table for her three kids, Grace, Jake and Peter. “My greatest fear is that my kids will go hungry,” said Hayley.
Hayley has been grateful to receive items from Foodbank through her local food pantry, made possible by generous donations from people just like you.
“A big portion of my food and groceries now comes from the pantry. It’s a struggle some days, but I’m getting there.”
Even though she’s still doing it tough herself, Hayley is right at the front line of support, volunteering her time at the food pantry.
“I’m here most days now, just to give back to the community. We are struggling to keep things on the shelves, because the number of people coming here have at least doubled since COVID-19.”
52,000 REASONS TO SMILE AGAIN
Every Foodbank hamper changes lives and brings smiles of joy. Last year, Foodbank delivered an unbelievable 52,000 hampers to Australians in need – something that was only possible thanks to the generosity of Hunger Fighters just like you.
The number of people seeking food relief in NSW and the ACT at least once a week has doubled. Young people have been hardest hit by the impact of COVID-19, with 57% of those aged 26-40 suddenly hungry. It is heartbreaking that more Australians are going hungry than ever before.
Foodbank has received literally hundreds of emotional letters and emails from families who have had to face food insecurity for the first time in their lives.
Here are just a few of the real stories of food insecurity in Australia in 2020. Thank you for helping us bring smiles to their faces again.
“When I received my hamper, I burst into tears” – Belinda
“These groceries have helped me and my daughter a lot. We are very grateful for your love” – Tendai
“We are really struggling financially like a lot of people. I received a hamper and shared some of the food with someone I know that could use it as well” – Trish
PHILLIP’S CHRISTMAS WISH CAME TRUE, THANKS TO YOU!
Phillip didn’t know how he was going to get through Christmas. He hasn’t worked for more than eight months. When we first spoke to him, it was all he could think about. He’s living week to week.
“Ever since I left school, I worked as a tradie. The bushfires hitting my hometown seemed bad enough, but when COVID hit, work dried up – and then I got injured. I haven’t got a wage coming in right now.
“I’m just trying to get the girls a good Christmas, get them a few presents. It’s not going to be easy this year.”
But thanks to your incredible generosity, Phillip and his girls were all smiles on Christmas Day. This loving dad surprised Carlie and little Indy, who is just six, with a delicious Christmas lunch, provided by a Foodbank hamper – and a few small presents.
“I worked for myself as a painter and decorator for 25 years and I’ve never experienced food insecurity. To know you can’t feed your children properly is the most gut-wrenching feeling.
“Now, I don’t know what I’d do without Foodbank. Getting groceries frees up money where I can put it to other things, like a few little Christmas presents or pay some bills.”
With thousands of parents like Phillip struggling to put food on the table after losing their jobs last year, the number of families relying on Foodbank has doubled. There has never been such a critical time for your support. We are so thankful to you, and so is Phillip.
“I’d like to thank all the supporters for being so kind at Christmas time. It’s been a tough year for many people, not just me and my girls. There’s people worse off than what I am. That makes those donations even more special. Thank you.”