Refugee Week: sharing Lena’s story

Refugee Week is an opportunity for the whole nation to celebrate the contribution refugees make to our society, and remembering and honouring the often perilous journey that refugees have taken to reach Australia – just like Lena Heto, former refugee and Foodbank volunteer.

Lena didn’t have the easiest start to life. But through the years, she has used art to help her heal and now harnesses her creativity to help others in need.

Born in Iraq in the late 1980s, Lena and her parents fled her war-torn homeland when she was just 3 years of age. She vividly remembers the night they crossed the border, as bombs shook the ground and her family’s life was reduced to a single suitcase.

After spending 5 years in Syria as refugees, it wasn’t until her parents gave birth to her younger sister that they were granted asylum in Australia.

When she arrived in Australia at age 8, Lena drew and painted to not only deal with the traumatic change but to help her communicate with her fellow students – as her English was very limited.

“Drawing helped me learn English. When I was communicating with kids at school, I would draw pictures and they would tell me the English word for the drawing which was so helpful.”

Lena reflects that she always turned to art to help her deal with her surroundings, often filling up her exercise books with drawings and illustrations.

“I started drawing at a really young age. It was in math’s class I used to draw intricate borders on every page of my exercise books.”

Almost 20 years later, Lena and her family are thriving. She works in a marketing role with a global organisation and now uses her art to give back to the communities that once helped her family when they couldn’t afford to put food on the table.

It’s been a journey and very character building. It teaches you a lot especially as a child when you thought living in a refugee camp was the norm and then you come to Australia and you see that you have freedom, you have safety and independence and equal rights.

She has previously hand illustrated cards and sold them at markets to raise funds for Foodbank and currently volunteers her time creating art work to help celebrate the efforts of other Foodbank volunteers.

Foodbank currently works with over 420 charity partners across the state, with 96 of these partners directly assisting refugee and migrant communities.

Click here to read more stories about some of the charity organisations and people we work with.

Teacher’s Marathon Achievement

Most people might plan a party for a life milestone such as turning 60. Not Adrian Bol.

Teacher, father, grandfather and fitness fanatic Adrian Bol conquered the unconquerable – seven marathons, on seven beaches, in seven states and territories, on seven consecutive days – all to raise funds for Foodbank Victoria.

Crossing the finish line at Melbourne’s Bonbeach on Wednesday 12 June, Adrian was relieved, emotional and proud of his momentous achievement.

“It’s been an awesome journey. It’s emotional,” he said. “I knew the family would be here. I knew that I was going to get emotional.”

From sunny skies in Darwin, to a wet and wintery morning in Melbourne, Adrian described each of the marathons as challenging, particularly in Darwin where he was faced with unexpected conditions – a high sea tide which meant restricted access to the beach.

“It was 28 degrees… I had to run 400 metres and then stop at the end, and then turn around. I had to do over 100 laps. That was the hardest marathon out of all of them. But it set me up to complete the other six.”

For months now Adrian has been getting up as early as 3.30am to train on his local beach, Bonbeach in Melbourne’s south-east, before arriving at his school to teach.

“I’ve had a blessed career and I want to give back. There’s a lot of families in need, a lot of people are really doing it tough and if it wasn’t for Foodbank they’d be doing it a lot tougher.”

Over the course of seven days, Adrian spent around 18 hours flying and 35 hours running a marathon length along each of the seven beaches: Casuarina Beach (Darwin), Scarborough Beach (Perth), Glenelg Beach (Adelaide), Kirra Beach (Gold Coast), Seven Mile Beach (Hobart) and lastly, Bonbeach (Melbourne).

“I’m really really proud of this. Having done it. I set myself personal challenges as well, times and so forth. I wanted to do sub-5s. And I pretty much did sub-5 hour marathons in succession. That to me was a personal challenge… I didn’t think I could that at 60.”

Darren, who looked after the logistics of the event for Adrian, was blown away by his efforts.

“Adrian has consistently used the phrase that he is an ordinary person attempting something that is extraordinary. Without any question what we witnessed in Darwin on 06th June 2019 was extraordinary. To complete that marathon, on sand, on his 60th birthday was a feat of endurance, determination and sheer bloody guts that I have never seen before,” said Darren.

You can still support Adrian’s marathon fundraising efforts by donating on his everydayhero.com.au fundraising page.

Support Adrian’s fundraiser

SYDNEY 30 May 2019: Foodbank’s national milk program partners – Parmalat, Lion Dairy & Drinks, Fonterra and Saputo Dairy Australia have collectively received the 2019 Foodbank Award for their collaboration to fight hunger in Australia.

Presented at the Food & Grocery Australia conference dinner held by the Australian Food & Grocery Council (AFCG) in Sydney yesterday, Foodbank praised its dairy partners for the extraordinary collaboration with regular contributions on the production of fresh milk to help Foodbank provide relief to more than 710,000 Australians every month.

Announcing Foodbank’s highest accolade, Foodbank Australia CEO, Brianna Casey, said; “This prestigious award is presented to an AFGC member or members showing vision, innovation and leadership in partnering with Foodbank to deliver greater impact in providing food and groceries to vulnerable families across Australia.

“This year, our dairy partners receive the award for what has proven to be an extraordinary eight-year collaboration providing 1 million litres of fresh milk a year. This industry sector program is unique to Australia and sets a benchmark for foodbank/industry partnerships around the world.

“Without the support of generous partners such as these wonderful milk companies, we would simply not be able to assist the millions of Australians accessing food relief from our network of 2,600 charities around the country.

“Despite facing turbulent industry and market conditions, Parmalat, Lion Dairy & Drinks, Fonterra and Saputo Dairy Australia supply Foodbank with fresh milk in every state and territory each and every week of the year. This allows school students around the country to have milk on their cereal when they sit down at a breakfast club, it enables pensioners to add milk to their cup of tea or coffee at the drop in centre and it provides families with a staple ingredient for meals such as mac and cheese,” Casey explained.

Also on the night, the Flight Centre Foundation’s General Manager, Anita Russell, was inducted into the Foodbank Hall of Fame. Announcing the induction, Casey said: “Anita has been at the centre of the Flight Centre/Foodbank relationship since its inception seven years ago. Not only is it an incredibly valuable partnership for Foodbank but, thanks to Anita, it is the north star of corporate engagement.

“From workplace giving recruitment drives to ‘The World’s Biggest Hamper Pack’, Anita has repeatedly challenged and motivated us and her Flight Centre colleagues to do more and achieve more. No idea has ever been too big or too crazy once Anita her applied her ‘can do’ magic.

“Thanks to her passion and energy, the relationship has gone from strength to strength such that Flight Centre staff and company have funded 8.2 million serves of long life milk as well as 2.4 million serves of pasta sauce, canned fruit and rice,” Casey said.

As a long-standing supporter of Foodbank, the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) provides a platform for Foodbank to present the Annual Foodbank Award at its premier, annual event, Food and Grocery Australia Dinner. Foodbank thanks the AFGC for allowing it to celebrate Foodbank hunger fighters and congratulates its award recipients.

Marathon effort to mark milestone birthday

Most people might plan a party for a life milestone such as turning 60. Not Adrian Bol.

The teacher is planning to run seven marathons, on seven consecutive days, on seven beaches, in seven states and territories – and it’s all to raise funds for Foodbank Victoria.

For months now Adrian has been getting up as early as 3.30am to train on his local beach, Bonbeach in Melbourne’s south-east, before arriving at his school to teach.

“The training regime is horrendous,” he said. But the teacher of 40 years is keen to give back to the community and mark his birthday in a meaningful way.

Adrian hasn’t run a traditional marathon before but he is banking on his years as a runner – and an extreme preparation regime – to get him over the line.

“I’m a runner. I love to run. I can run on the surface of the beach because I’ve been doing it for over 30 years – it’s my temple of tranquillity. The recovery is what I’m really, really focusing on. The recovery is the key to getting up and going the next day, and the next day, and the next.”

Each marathon is expected to take between six and seven hours. And then there’s the plane trips. Over the course of the week, he’ll spend between 40 and 50 hours running and 18 hours flying.

The first marathon will be run on Darwin’s Casuarina Beach on June 6 – his 60^th birthday. He then flies to Perth (Scarborough Beach, June 7); Adelaide (Glenelg Beach, June 8); Gold Coast (Kirra Beach, June 9); Sydney (Cronulla Beach, June 10); Hobart (Seven Mile Beach, June 11); and Melbourne (Bonbeach, June 12).

“I don’t think it’s ever been done before,” Adrian said of the beach challenge.

The seed was planted a few years ago by the feats of Kiwi airline pilot, Mike Allsop, who completed seven marathons in seven days on seven continents.

“I read his book. He wasn’t even a runner and he achieved something unbelievable, I thought that was awesome,” said Adrian, who has been in contact and received tips from Allsop. He also now shares a sponsor with the famous Kiwi, USANA Health Sciences.

“I feel like I’m back in my twenties and from a fitness point of view I haven’t been any fitter than this,” Adrian said.

“My main aim is to make a big difference and raise important funds for Foodbank Victoria, but I also want to inspire people young and old – and prove that even at the ripe old age of 60 people can do whatever they set their mind to.”

People can donate to Adrian’s fundraiser on his everydayhero.com.au fundraising page.

MEDIA ENQUIRIES

Kimberley Nichols, Foodbank Victoria: 03 9362 8309 / 0466 514 084
Alexa Viani, Foodbank Victoria: 03 9362 8333 / 0466 459 266

National Volunteer Week: celebrating our wonderful volunteers

20-26 May, 2019

Volunteers are vital to the work that we do. Last year, 2721 individuals volunteered almost 30,000 hours of time to Foodbank Victoria, helping to distribute the equivalent of 15 million meals.

“From packing orders of food and grocery items in our Yarraville warehouse; delivering hampers to those in need; distributing fresh food at our pop-up markets; or assisting with important office duties – our volunteers are truly the backbone of our organisation” – Dave McNamara, Foodbank Victoria CEO (read media release here).

To put it simply, our volunteers are truly making a world of difference not just here at Foodbank, but for many hungry Victorians right across the state. And for that, we say THANK YOU!

To celebrate National Volunteer Week we asked some of our regular volunteers to share what they get up to when they’re not fighting hunger…

Interested in volunteering? Click here to find out more about volunteering at Foodbank Victoria, or with one of our Charity or School Breakfast Club partners.

A Generous Piggybank donation helps Foodbank

We are constantly reminded of the impact your support has on the community through hearing the wonderful stories from our supporters and recipients. This month, we are featuring the story of an amazing little supporter called Lorelei, a 9 year old school student, who recently donated her piggybank to Foodbank after hearing about other children her age who are going to school without breakfast.

Lorelei’s Mother shares her story here…

Your letter regarding Anastacia struck a chord with Lorelei, as she herself suffers from anxiety. Lorelei is fortunate enough that her anxiety is not caused from the stress of not knowing where her next meal is coming from.

We are fortunate to be a moderate income household and this allows Lorelei and her brother to never have to worry about whether or not there will be food in the house to supply them with breakfast, lunch or dinner. It’s very unfortunate circumstances when you can’t provide these basic needs for your children and as a mother I feel deeply for families in similar situations.

We are off on a trip to Tasmania for which Lorelei has been studiously saving for since Christmas. Your letter made Lorelei realise how fortunate she was to have money in her moneybox when there are families in other parts of Australia who aren’t as fortunate as she. Because of this, Lorelei has chosen to donate $35 from her moneybox. As a mother I am very proud that she has made this decision alone, without any encouragement from me.

It is wonderful to see young hearts wanting to help their community. You can join Lorelei and become a hunger fighter by signing up to give a regular gift.

BECOME A HUNGER FIGHTER

Foodbank celebrates growing volunteer numbers, but more are needed across sector

Marking National Volunteer Week, Foodbank Victoria – the state’s oldest and largest food relief organisation – has welcomed a 25 per cent increase in volunteers.

Last year, 2721 individuals volunteered almost 30,000 hours of time to Foodbank Victoria, helping to distribute the equivalent of 15 million meals.

Foodbank Victoria CEO Dave McNamara said volunteers are an integral part of addressing food insecurity right across the state.

“It’s an honour and a privilege to see how many dedicated Victorians are continually motivated to join our cause and share in our vision of healthy food for all. We now have close to 90 regular volunteers with some choosing to volunteer with us two or three days a week. That’s a remarkable gift.”

The latest Foodbank Hunger Report found 57% of its Victorian charity partners had seen an increase in people seeking food relief in the past 12 months. Charities were being forced to turn away around 12,000 Victorians each month due to a lack of resources – including food and volunteers.

“Although we are lucky to have seen our volunteer numbers grow, many of our 400+ metropolitan and regional charity partners are desperately in need of volunteers to help run their food relief programs,” continued Mr McNamara.

To help link potential volunteers with charities, Foodbank Victoria hosts an online map at www.foodbank.org.au/volunteermap

Darebin Information Volunteer and Resource Service (DIVRS) is one Foodbank charity partner in need of more volunteers. The charity, based in Preston, provides a range of services for low-income residents – including emergency relief in the form of food parcels and programs around growing food. More than 80 people volunteer at DIVRS weekly to help feed over 250 families.

“Food insecurity is a growing issue in our community and we’ve seen a significant increase in those accessing our food relief program. Our volunteers are a vital part of our services, and without them we simply would not be able to assist the vulnerable in our community,” said Frances Trimboli, Executive Officer at DIVRS.

Foodbank’s website also has a map of state primary schools who need additional volunteers to run their School Breakfast Clubs. Foodbank Victoria, in partnership with the Victorian Government and Department of Education and Training, provides 50,000 healthy breakfasts a week through the program.

According to Volunteering Australia, 5.8 million Australians or 31 per cent of the population participates in formal volunteering activities. Nationally this is an estimated annual economic and social contribution of $290 billion.

Foodbank welcomes Labor’s commitment to helping hungry Australians

8 May 2019 – “Foodbank welcomes today’s commitment from Labor to double funding for food relief organisations” Foodbank Australia CEO Brianna Casey said today.

“We have made a case to all parties to deliver a National Food Security Strategy with significant funding to support it, to help address Australia’s food insecurity crisis,” she explained. “We look forward to working with the incoming government to ensure that vulnerable and disadvantaged Australians have reliable access to sufficient safe and nutritious food”.

Foodbank’s case for a National Food Security Strategy can be found here and its policy and funding priorities ahead of the federal election can be found here.

All Saints Church

For over 20 years, Nanette has been volunteering at All Saints Church, distributing food relief to the local community in Preston. Operating out of the church hall every Friday, the food relief program is currently feeding over 70 people a week.

“People come in and present either their health care card, pension card, refugee card, any of those sorts of cards, and they get a food parcel. We’ve got several different shelves of staple items and they can choose items from each shelf, and then select their own fresh and chilled items,” said Nanette.

Nanette believes allowing the person to select their own food is important.

“We let them know you have so many choices on each shelf and then they pick what they want and what they like. This is better because if you give them what they don’t like, they might not take it.”

Most people only access the food once a month; however, the program never turns anyone away.

“Sometimes people come in under that month and we always give them something. For one reason or another, if they need a food parcel we will help,” Nanette continued.

The dedicated team of volunteers ensure that not only do they provide a friendly face and food relief, but they also refer individuals to any services they might need.

“We do hear some stories — some of them are quite sad. Sometimes we can tell if someone might need additional assistance and we can generally refer them on to who they need to see.”

Nanette’s husband and Nanette’s long-time friend Shirley have also been involved in the program since its inception over 20 years ago. However, new volunteers are continuing to join, including the latest recruit Jill.

After retiring, Jill was looking for a role to keep her busy and provide purpose and connection to the community. While also volunteering at an op shop during the week, Jill praises the group for keeping her active and offering a chance to give back.

“Coming here has just made my life, you see – I love it!”

Nanette is pictured centre in the above image

Bombers and EnergyAustralia kicking goals to end hunger

Essendon Football Club and EnergyAustralia are again teaming up this year with Foodbank Victoria for the ‘Goals To End Hunger’ initiative.

For every goal kicked by the Bombers throughout the home and away season, EnergyAustralia will donate 200 meals to Foodbank Victoria.

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.

“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.

“With the support of EnergyAustralia and Foodbank, last year we were able to contribute 50,000 meals to Victorians, a small but important step towards combatting hunger in this state.

“Thanks to EnergyAustralia, for every goal kicked by the red and black this season, EnergyAustralia will donate 200 meals to Foodbank. After a fantastic showing in front of goal on Friday night, the tally for the year stands at 6,800 meals.”

Foodbank Victoria CEO, Dave McNamara, said the sheer scale of food insecurity was a shock to most people.

“Every month in Victoria we feed more people than can fit inside a packed MCG. While we have the food to assist 116,000 Victorians every month, another 12,000 are turned away as there’s simply not enough to go around.

“As an Essendon supporter I’m looking forward to watching the Bombers boot plenty of goals, which will help us close this gap between supply and demand thanks to the generosity of EnergyAustralia.”

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.”

Watch the video below to see Essendon Legend Kevin Sheedy talk about the Goals To End Hunger initiative in 2018.