Women bear the brunt of hunger in Australia

Foodbank has today revealed that women in Australia are 50% more likely to experience food insecurity than men and, in fact, a quarter of all women have experienced food insecurity in some form in the past 12 months.

The Foodbank Hunger Report 2019 discloses that the events that make women susceptible to food stress are also different to those for men. Women are significantly more likely at some time in their lives to have experienced domestic violence or financial abuse or to have raised children on their own for an extended time. Men, on the other hand, are more likely to have been unable to find a job for a lengthy period.

Food insecurity is also more likely to take an emotional toll on women the research finds, as they report being more likely to feel stressed and anxious than men. For example, mothers are twice as likely as fathers to feel like a bad parent when there is not enough food in the house.

The Foodbank Hunger Report, now in its seventh year, surveys 2,000 charities and 1,000 individuals from around the country who are experiencing food insecurity. Foodbank Australia CEO, Brianna Casey, explained the report aims to better quantify and understand what is a growing social crisis.

“We hear so many heart-breaking stories, from mothers skipping meals so their children can eat, to elderly women left on their own feeling isolated because they can’t offer their neighbours or friends so much as a cup of tea or coffee” she said. “We knew the situation was bad, but this year’s report confirms that it’s getting worse and the impact is skewed towards our most vulnerable women in the community.”

“In spite of the fact that Foodbank is now providing food relief for more than 810,000 people every month, what the report shows is that our charity network is still not meeting demand. There has been a 22% increase in the number of individuals accessing food relief in the past year and only 37% of charities believe they are meeting the full demand in their communities” stated Casey.

In the wake of these findings, Casey has challenged the government to act. “This problem is clearly not going away in fact its impact on the health and wellbeing of our communities is only going amplify. What is required is a long-term, whole-of-government plan to tackle this crisis head on. We are calling for a commitment to introduce a National Food Security Strategy to ensure we achieve zero hunger in this country by 2030,” Casey said.

The public can join the growing movement on social media to shine a spotlight on the issue of hunger in Australia by using the hashtags #HiddenHunger and #ZeroHunger, donating at www.foodbank.org.au or asking their local Member of Federal Parliament what they are doing to address food insecurity in Australia.

Foodbank Victoria named Yarra Trams Community Partner

We are very excited to be partnering with Yarra Trams as part of their Community Partnerships Program in 2020.

Yarra Trams is the largest, and one of the oldest, tram networks in the world and an iconic, much-loved symbol of Melbourne.

Just like our network of charity partners, Melbourne’s tram network brings people together by providing a service where everyone is welcome and included – no matter what their background, beliefs, preferences or abilities.

It’s at the heart of our community, connecting people to the places they want to go by providing a safe, sustainable, and inclusive travel option. And we know that with 5000 services a day, 1700 stops, and 487 trams in its fleet, Yarra Trams is playing a role in food relief too – transporting Melburnians on a daily basis to any one of our 280 metro-based charity partners for a warm meal, emergency food hamper or other vital support service.

The 2020 Yarra Trams Community Partnerships Program will provide $1 million of free advertising value to eight community organisations making a positive impact on diversity and inclusion in Melbourne. And this year, Foodbank Victoria is thrilled to have made the cut!

Keep your eyes peeled for us on Melbourne’s tram faces from October to December 2020, to celebrate our 90th year helping to feed Victorians in need.

Foodbank is here for the long haul as the drought persists

Over a year ago, the Australian public rallied behind farming communities struggling with the devastation of the ongoing drought. Drought conditions have worsened dramatically in others and it’s time to look after our rural communities.

Foodbank has unique insights into the impact of drought from two perspectives – firstly through the voices of rural and regional charities and schools who are increasingly reliant on our support; and secondly through shortages of some of our most important food items, from rice, milk and meat to breakfast cereals, fruit and veggies.

We are proud to have nurtured wonderful relationships with our farming communities. In fact, in good seasons, our farmers are among our most generous donors, regularly donating their produce – both perfect and imperfect – to help fight hunger in Australia. That’s why we are so determined to return that generosity. Our rural and regional communities need us now more than ever, and we are acutely aware of the need for support to be provided to those in crisis throughout the drought recovery period and beyond.

Foodbank is but one part in a much wider effort from many charities and organisations working collaboratively to provide the most effective and efficient relief to affected communities. We know that the impacts of drought are felt well beyond the farm gate, and Foodbank is here for you all. We are working closely with the National Farmers’ Federation, Country Women’s Association, support agencies and our charity network across drought-affected regions to identify what additional support is required in terms of food and grocery relief.

We are also keenly focused on rural mental health and wellbeing, not just for those directly affected, but also for those supporting our farmers and rural communities through one of the toughest periods they’ve ever had to face. It’s okay not to be okay, and we encourage you to reach out to one of the support services below if you or someone you know needs support.

Lifeline on 13 11 14
Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36
Kids Helpline 1800 551 800

By harnessing our terrific relationships across the food and grocery sector, our established partnerships and the community’s ongoing support, we will continue to provide ongoing food and grocery assistance. Whether it be food or personal care items, Foodbank is here to make sure families feel supported throughout, and we assure you, we’re right here with you for the long haul.

EnergyAustralia and Essendon Football Club join forces to fight hunger

This AFL season, Essendon Football Club and EnergyAustralia teamed up with Foodbank Victoria for yet another ‘Goals to End Hunger’ initiative.

With more than 113,000 Victorians going hungry each month, ‘Goals to End Hunger’ aims to not only provide meals to children and families in need, but also shed a light on the issue of food insecurity.

For every Bombers goal kicked throughout the 2019 AFL season, EnergyAustralia generously donated 200 meals to Foodbank Victoria to put more food on the table for those who need it most.

Following an incredible season with a total of 256 goals kicked by the Bombers, EnergyAustralia will donate 51,200 meals to Foodbank Victoria – the equivalent of feeding more than eleven families of four for an entire year!

EnergyAustralia Head of Strategy & Reputation, Jack Kotlyar, said the partnership helps put food on the table for those who need it most.

“Unfortunately for many people in our community it’s not easy getting a well-lit and warm home or a solid meal. Whether it’s the transition to cleaner forms of energy or the basic necessities of life, we don’t want to see anyone get left behind. Our work with Foodbank Victoria is about being there for people when they need us most.”

“The ‘Goals To End Hunger’ initiative allows EnergyAustralia an opportunity to do something important in a fun way, giving people reason to cheer.”

In Round 16, Bombers’ legends Kevin Sheedy and Dustin Fletcher joined Foodbank Victoria and EnergyAustralia at the MCG for a fan fun day – coaching fans to kick to their very own goals to end hunger. More than 150 punters took a shot at goal – scoring an additional 1,711 meals donated by EnergyAustralia.

In 2018 the initiative applied to home games only. A total of 28,400 meals were donated through the Bombers’ 142 home goals, and EnergyAustralia generously increased this final figure to 50,000 meals for Foodbank Victoria.

Essendon CEO Xavier Campbell said the Club was proud to continue its partnership with EnergyAustralia and Foodbank in 2019.

“We are thrilled to be involved in the ‘Goals To End Hunger’ initiative again in 2019 and support Victorians in need by providing food through Foodbank Victoria,” Campbell said.

Although there is still along way to go to ensure that every Victorian has regular access to healthy food, these meals will make a huge difference to the lives of many vulnerable children and their families.

Well done Bombers for yet another outstanding season and thank you to our friends at EnergyAustralia for their ongoing support – together, we can help fight hunger in Victoria!

Kick your Goal to End Hunger

The Hunger Ride 2020 – are you ready?

The Hunger Ride will return to Victoria’s High Country in November 2020 and we’re seeking keen cyclists to bring on a team for the 1-day, 172km challenge.

As you’ll see from the video below, the ride is not for the faint-hearted, but teams are rewarded with stunning scenery, teamwork and fun, and giving back.

While the terrain might be challenging, every kilometre of The Hunger Ride will help us provide vulnerable children and their families with emergency food relief.

Today in Australia a child is more likely than an adult to live in poverty. One in five children go hungry. We believe no child should go hungry, which is why we need your help – do you have what it takes?

Click here to visit The Hunger Ride website for more information or get in touch with Carli Cook, Corporate Partnerships & Events Manager on 03 9362 8326 carlic@foodbankvictoria.org.au.

FOODBANK NSW & ACT HITS BITTERSWEET MILESTONE OF 150 MILLION MEALS

Foodbank is the bank that keeps on giving. This month Foodbank NSW & ACT will mark a milestone of 150 million meals to needy communities. This milestone will be reached by giving out hampers to regional farming communities in crisis across the state.

“This is a milestone we never wanted to hit. For the past 27 years we’ve been sourcing and delivering food for hungry Australians. The farmers need us now more than ever. No one anticipated the drought would last this long.” – Gerry Andersen, CEO Foodbank NSW & ACT.

Mr Andersen personally helped to deliver 10,000 hampers to drought stricken farmers in regional NSW a year ago. Now we are ready to distribute another 5,000, but we would like to do much more.

From mid-late September, the hampers will be distributed through the Country Women’s Association (CWA) and our existing charity partners in drought-affected regions, to then be distributed to farming communities in need. Each hamper contains breakfast cereal, pasta, pasta sauces, soups, vegemite, canned fruit and vegetables.

“Since October 2016, below average rainfall has parched the majority of NSW, with farmers feeling the sting the most, we want them all to know that we are here for the long haul.”

“We are calling on the public to lend a hand, farmers are beyond breaking point. A $30 donation will deliver a hamper to help support a farming family in crisis.”

It’s been more than 12 months since we started providing food relief in Baradine and now one NSW farming family speaks out, about the realities of the drought and how Foodbank has helped to keep food on the table, week in and week out.

Adrian and Beth Worrell have received support from Foodbank (through the CWA Drought Pantry) since Nea (Worrell) began the pantry – originally as a ‘one off’– unfortunately, says Nea, “the pantry has been running ever since, supporting 137 families (approx. 400 people) over a 200km radius”.

“I’m a fifth generation farming family and this is the worst drought in living memory.”

“Because it’s been so long, people now do not have any money, no money whatsoever. I’m worried about the mental health of the men. We need your help, without your help, without Foodbank’s food, without Foodbank’s hampers, without people backing us, we can’t give out and people are going to die.”

Adrian and Beth have 3 children, Jack (14 – who has Williams Syndrome), Abby (12) and a newborn son. Beth, who had brought the only stable income into the family home, has had to leave her role as a teacher’s aide at the local school. Her permanent part-time role does not cover maternity leave. So, their only regular income has also dried up.

‘‘When I got the (very first) foodbank hamper, I cried,” says Beth. “Our property is our life, it’s not something that we can just go, we’re done this is too hard, there’s no rain, there’s no feed, we’ll just pack up and go, that’s just not an option. We just need to get through it.”

“I want my kids to be here for the rest of their lives to continue farming. I don’t want to be the family that had to walk away because we had nothing left.”

“Foodbank has supported us over the last year with food packages but they can’t do that without people’s donations.”

As the drought now exceeds the Federation drought, the World War II drought and the Millennium drought in terms of severity, Adrian says their drought proofing of water supply and 1,100 bales of hay are long gone.

“We used up all our hay nine months ago. Everybody’s doing it pretty tough, two or three years without income, all expense. Every load (of feed) coming in the gate is about 10 grand; it adds up, it’s getting a bit painful now,” says Adrian.

Foodbank NSW & ACT CEO, Gerry Andersen said, “In good seasons, farmers are amongst the most generous donors of food to people in need across NSW. Right now 29% of Australians experiencing food insecurity live in rural and regional communities. More than 33% of all food and grocery items distributed by Foodbank go to these regions annually.”

“As the worst drought on record continues, we must give back to help farming communities survive.”

“In spite of our best efforts, we estimate that we need 50% more food to provide enough for all the people seeking assistance. To try and bridge this gap, we rely on the generosity of individuals, businesses, community organisations, schools and all levels of government.”

Foodbank is Australia’s largest food relief organisation, providing approximately 70% of food assistance to individuals and families across NSW and the ACT.

We are calling on the public to lend a hand, farmers are beyond breaking point. A $30 donation will deliver a hamper to help support a farming family in crisis.

Help our farming families

Paula’s Story

Hunger can be such a complex issue, as there are so many triggers that can lead to food insecurity. For Paula, it was domestic violence.

Imagine having to choose between fleeing an abusive relationship knowing it would make it almost impossible to make ends meet, or staying in an environment where you constantly feared for your safety.

“Leaving an abusive relationship was really hard. What was even harder was knowing that I wasn’t going to be able to feed my children” said Paula.

While no one should ever have to face that choice, the reality is 1 in 4 women have experienced domestic violence, and many of them care for young children.

Paula has been kind enough to share some of her darker days with us so we can try and understand what it was like for her.

“I used to get so hungry and break into tears because I didn’t have enough money for food. Sometimes I used to cry in the car, so the kids didn’t see” – Paula is back on her feet now but still gets a little help from Foodbank to help ends meet. She is living proof that your generosity is helping break the cycle of domestic violence.

As a supporter of Foodbank, your valuable donations go exactly where it is needed the most. To provide families and children across Victoria with wholesome nutritious food, vegetables, dairy and staples.

Thank you for helping fight hunger in Australia.

Want to help people like Paula?

A thank you from Sue

Sue used to be one of the 1 in 5 people who didn’t know where their next meal was coming from. After bravely sharing her story she’s been overwhelmed by the support from her community and from Foodbank supporters.

Thanks to the kindness of people just like you, together we have reached our target of raising over $300,000 which equates to 600,000 meals for those who need it most in the next 12 months. How amazing is that!

For Sue it was more than just about going without food, it was having to make choices that no one should ever have to make.

You might remember that Sue faced the heartbreaking choice of using her last few dollars to buy food or to visit her beautiful granddaughter who lives over 100km away.

Want to learn more about Sue’s story?

School Breakfast Clubs Program set for expansion

August 2019

The Victorian Government has recently announced an expansion to the School Breakfast Clubs Program, allowing us to provide more food, to more schools.

Since its launch in 2016 in partnership with the Victorian Government Department of Education and Training, the School Breakfast Clubs Program has been delivering 50,000 healthy breakfasts each week to 500 primary schools across the state.

Participating schools have reported a significant improvement in student learning and academic outcomes. However, we know that some students who attend breakfast clubs also come to school without lunch or any food to get them through the school day.

To address the needs of more students outside of breakfast clubs, lunches and school holiday supplies have been added to the menu, as part of the School Breakfast Clubs Expansion Program.

Minister for Education, James Merlino, officially announced the program’s expansion at St Albans North Primary School on the 22nd August 2019, stating:

“More than 8 million breakfasts have already been served to students. Now, having lunches will make it easier for children who may not be able to bring food to school.”

“We know that children can’t learn properly on an empty stomach – that’s why we’re expanding this program to offer lunches to those who need them most,” said James Merlino, Minister for Education.

The Expansion Program will be made available to 1,000 Victorian government primary, secondary, P-12 and specialist schools by the end of 2020.

Natalie Suleyman, Member of Parliament for St Albans, also attended the announcement in support of the expansion, stating that:

“St Albans North Primary School has been a leader for the School Breakfast Clubs Program – improving student’s health and well-being. This expansion will mean even more students are able to focus at school.”

Lunches provided as part of the Expansion Program offer a range of healthy foods to support student learning throughout the day, including lunch bowls, mini milks, fresh apples and fruit cups.

The holiday supply packs contain a variety of existing breakfast products, and have been designed to feed one student breakfast, with a few extra snacks, for two weeks.

In addition, selected schools will have the opportunity to take part in a new meal preparation and nutrition program. Developed in partnership with The Department of Education and Training and Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation, this will bring families together in the school environment to learn important life skills around cooking, food safety and food budgeting.

Many School Breakfast Clubs need volunteers to help run their program. Contact us to know the schools that are currently seeking a helping hand.

Want more bite-sized news?

The sky is almost the limit when dreaming up a fundraising activity. Whether you plan to hold your activity in your school, workplace, club or community, check out the following ideas for inspiration.

1. Morning or afternoon tea

Everybody loves a sweet or savoury treat, and a morning or afternoon tea at work, school, or with your community group is a great way to bring people together and collect donations!

2. Excellent entertainment

Who doesn’t love to be entertained? Organise a movie night, music concert, karaoke comp, talent show, art exhibit or theatre production and donate the ticket proceeds.

3. Dress-up or casual clothes day

Whether you dress up or dress down, leave the uniform in the cupboard and donate a gold coin for the occasion!

4. Trivia night

It can get competitive… but it’s a whole lot of fun! You can seek donations from local businesses for prizes.

5. Raffle or auction

Already holding an event where a raffle or live auction could take place? Collect donations of goods or services from local businesses and start selling tickets! (Make sure you check if permits are required.)

6. Barbecue or bake sale

Take your cooking skills to the community with a bake sale or barbecue. You can ask your local hardware store, supermarket or sporting club if they’ll host you.

7. Games night

Whether it’s board games, computer games or card games, gather some friends and make a fundraiser of it.

8. Luncheon or dinner party

Casual or fancy, dining with others is one of life’s great pleasures. Add a guest speaker, entertainment or raffle and you’ve got a great event!

9. Physical challenge or fitness event

Great for your health and great for giving back. Organise or participate in a fun run, bike ride, golf day, gym classes, walkathon, the list could go on and on!

10. Percentage of sales

Donating a percentage of your sales can be a great way to not only support Foodbank, but promote your business or product! Promotions can run on a particular Day or Week that is relative to your brand (for example, International Pet Day or Giving Tuesday), a milestone that your business may be celebrating, or a public holiday or event.

By becoming a Foodbank Fundraiser, you are helping us provide more meals, to more Victorians in need. Inspired? Click on the link below to read our Fundraising Kit or submit a Fundraising application.

Inspired to hold a Fundraiser?