We know you’ve been hanging out for it – The Hunger Ride is back on for 12 – 14 November, 2021!
Ever wanted to feel like a professional in the pro peloton? The Hunger Ride is an exclusive corporate cycling challenge through 172kms of Victoria’s most beautiful and difficult cycling terrain. While the terrain might be challenging, every kilometre will help raise much-needed funds to provide vulnerable children and their families with emergency food relief.
We’re now recruiting dedicated corporate cycling teams to join Hunger Ride ambassador Baden Cooke and well-known personalities such as Hamish Blake and Matthew Keenan to test their mettle and help us break the cycle of hunger.
Interested?
Healthy Recipe for Kids
Meet Apple Jack, the appetising apple that makes eating fruit fun
Encouraging children to try fruit in a fun way promotes healthy habits at an early stage. And what can be healthier than the fruit that allegedly keeps doctors away?
We also know that sometimes the healthy option can be a little bit boring. We wanted to share a wholesome alternative to junk food that you and your kids can have fun making together.
So meet “Apple Jack”! This spooky looking apple will get kids excited about healthy food.
For this recipe, you will need:
Apples
Sunflower seeds
Some lolly “googly”eyes
Your favourite nut butter – we’re using peanut butter.
A sharp knife
A butter knife
Cutting board
Step 1
Using the sharp knife, slice two “cheeks” from the apple, avoiding the core in the middle.
Slice the remaining cheeks from the apple.
Step 2
Cut a “mouth” shape from the two larger slices of apple.
Step 3
Using butter knife, spread a thin layer of nut butter into the “mouth”. It’s okay if it’s a little messy.
Step 4
Carefully position the sunflower seeds into the “mouth”, trying to make them look like scary teeth.
Step 5
Using the sharp knife, slice the small pieces of apple lengthways into thin slices.
Step 6
Arrange the thin slices of apple underneath the large pieces, fan them out so they look like legs.
Step 7
Using a little dot of nut butter as glue, place as many google eyes as you want onto your new apple monsters.
Step 8
Transfer your monsters to a plate and be brave as you eat your spooky creations!
CANS FILM FESTIVAL
After a brief delay, we’re proud to announce that the legends at The Sun Theatre will still screen films from this festival between 1 – 3 August 2021.
We can’t fly you to France, but we can try and bring Europe to you with our very own ‘Cans Film Festival’, right here in Yarraville. This fun-filled film event will see The Sun Theatre screen food films for food lovers of all ages.
Proceeds of the festival will be donated to Foodbank Victoria, with $5 from every ticket sold going straight to our work feeding Victorians. Guests and the wider community will also be encouraged to donate a ‘can’ during the festival.
So get your mates together, take the kids for a treat, or cuddle up with a loved one and enjoy the films on offer.
On Friday, 23 July 2021, we opened our warehouse for a drive-thru service.
Please note, this service occurred in the past. We are not currently offering a drive-thru service.
With Victoria experiencing its fifth lockdown (and the third lockdown for 2021), our team saw a need to get healthy food to as many people as possible. But COVID restrictions meant we had to be safe and smart about how to implement our plan.
So, on Friday, 23 July 2021, we opened our warehouse for a drive-thru service.
With an amazing effort from our staff and volunteers, as well as traffic controllers managing the flow of people, we were able to provide more than 1,200 hampers of food to Victorians doing it tough during the lockdown.
Check out some of the photographs from the event below.
“I felt like the
worst mother on the planet”
From the outside, Renee’s family looked like your typical Australian household…
Behind the scenes, Renee and Grant were making heartbreaking sacrifices just to make ends meet. They would regularly go days without eating just so their children wouldn’t go hungry.
Emily, Nicolaas and Zoe – Renee and Grant’s eldest children – would often skip breakfast to make sure that there was enough bread for everyone’s sandwiches at lunch time.
The hardest weeks, Renee would go days without showering to conserve the gas in their gas bottles for cooking.
An accident would change Grant and Renee’s life forever
The family’s troubles began with a moment of bad luck – the sort that could happen to any one of us at any time. Grant, a tow truck driver by trade, was finishing his work day when he slipped from his truck. He fell over a metre onto the asphalt, breaking six ribs and badly twisting his ankle.
“Our financial troubles began almost immediately. It was shocking how fast things fell apart. With Grant unable to work, we thought his work insurance would cover our bills. But they were only willing to pay a quarter of his wage.”
The pain from his injuries meant Grant was unable to work or to do much help take care of their two young children at home. Renee had no option but to give up her part-time job.
“So any chance that I could make up some of his lost income went out the window.”
Another set back
Just as Grant was beginning to get mobile again, he experienced a hernia that required surgery. This meant more time out, more and medical bills. This time, the insurance company weren’t willing to pay so much as a dollar to help them.
With bills piling up, Renee and Grant began to skip meals, trying to hide the truth from their children.
“When you’re forced to send your kids to school with half a sandwich and half an apple each, and they have to eat that in front of their friends, hiding the truth isn’t possible. And the truth was, I just felt like the absolute worst mother on the planet.”
Hope for the future
Renee and Grant were prepared to starve themselves in order to keep their children fed, but they knew their sacrifices wouldn’t be enough. So Renee seized on the only help she could find.
“I met a wonderful woman called Paula who introduced me to Foodbank. And I went there, and it was beautiful and any shame I felt disappeared as I went through that door.”
Unfortunately, Renee’s story is all too familiar. Cuts to government support are bound to have impacts on the lives of vulnerable Australians – just like Renee and her family.
You can help a family like Renee’s to put food on their tables.
EVERY $1 DONATED IS 2 MEALS CREATED
Run Melbourne and help feed families in need
Run Melbourne will no longer proceed this Sunday 25 July. It will be postponed to 2022.
Need some extra motivation as we head towards winter? Registrations for Run Melbourne in July are already open and now is the perfect time to start training!
Join Team Foodbank and take on the 5km, 10km or Half Marathon distance.
Your efforts will not only be rewarded in your fitness levels – every dollar you raise will also be helping Foodbank to provide two meals to vulnerable Victorian children and families.
Brendan Hamill’s top 3 tips to living a healthy lifestyle.
Western United Football Club and Foodbank Victoria are joining forces to fight hunger. The newest club to join the A-League competition have officially announced Foodbank Victoria as the club’s official Principal Charity Partner.
Throughout the 2020/21 season the two organisations will join forces to raise awareness of food insecurity across the State and work together to raise funds to ensure more meals are going out to those who need them most. Keep an eye out for opportunities to support the cause at key events throughout the year.
We are thrilled to announce Brendan Hamill as our new Brand Ambassador. He recently took some time out of his busy schedule to share with us his top three tips for living a healthy lifestyle.
If you want to learn more about our partnership head here
RECOVERY RIDE 2021
Here at Foodbank Victoria, we are committed to assisting with the long-term recovery of the 2020 Bushfires. We want to ensure that communities who were impacted during the Black Summer fires, particularly East Gippsland, are supported on their journey to recovery – whether that be through food relief or economic support.
After the year that was 2020, the Recovery Ride aims to bring families from far and wide to discover all that East Gippsland has to offer. With the support of event sponsor Montague JAZZ™ Apple, and our delivery partner, KSJ Events, we hope to make it a special day for both visitors and locals alike.
Where:
Main Street, Bruthen (26km East of Bairnsdale), East Gippsland
Cost: $10 per person – Children under 6 years FREE of charge.
To participate in the Recovery Ride pre-event registration is required. All ride terms and conditions must be agreed to prior to the event.
This is your chance to enjoy a fun ride along the East Gippsland Rail Trail and finish off your day in our event village showcasing local entertainment and local produce – a great way to get behind the local economies of these ravaged areas. If you’re looking to get away for the perfect family activity during the Easter school holidays, the Recovery Ride is just for you.
The event will provide three cycling route options to cater for all:
Ride 1:10km (Bruthen to Mossiface return) commencing at 10.45am
Ride 2:42km route (Bruthen to Nicholson return) commencing at 10.30am
Ride 3:54kmroute (Bruthen to Nowa Nowa return) commencing at 10.00am
But if cycling is not for you, the Recovery Ride still has you covered.
The Recovery Ride will also feature an event village based in the small township of Bruthen (26km East of Bairnsdale) which will see the town come to life with a market displaying some of the best local produce and small business offerings, an array of children’s amusements to keep the kids entertained including fun cycling skills clinics , food trucks, a special activation from our friends at Montague JAZZ™ Apple, as well as local live entertainment throughout the day.
ACCOMMODATION & LOCAL HOSPITALITY
After a challenging 18 months, the Recovery Ride aims to bring people from all across Victoria to visit East Gippsland and provide an economic boost to the local economy. By bringing people to the region, we can help support local businesses, which in turn provides local employment and supports those who may otherwise face financial hardship. With border restrictions appearing to continue well into 2021, what better time to explore all that Victoria offers and #HolidayHereThisYear.
To help take the confusion out of where to stay our friends at Visit Gippsland have suggested local accommodation options. The team has also included some great local eateries and tourist attractions to visit during your stay.
Please Note – Limited accommodation options are available in Bruthen. Bairnsdale city centre is only a short 20-minute drive from Bruthen and offers a wide range of accommodation options should Bruthen not be available to you. Bairnsdale is also a great central location should you wish to head out and discover East Gippsland before or after the Recovery Ride.
The Recovery Ride will be an adventure along the East Gippsland Rail Trail that starts and finishes in the town of Bruthen – a small bushfire impacted township 26km East of Bairnsdale.
The ride will feature three lengths.
10km route (Bruthen to Mossiface return) commencing from 10:45am
42km route (Bruthen to Nicholson return) commencing from 10:30am
54km route (Bruthen to Nowa Nowa return) commencing from 10:00am
The East Gippsland Rail Trail provides a unique and rustic way to see all that East Gippsland offers. It provides an eye-opening insight into the destruction of the Black Summer fires, and just how close it came to destroying many more homes and lives.
The Recovery Ride is not a race but rather a family-friendly activity. We encourage you to take your time and enjoy the route. Due to the track’s rustic nature, we recommend participants do not use road bikes, with Mountain Bikes or Hybrids being the preferable option. E-bikes are welcome as well.
All participants will be supported by KSJ Events cycling support team during the ride. There will be several refreshment stations along the way that will offer water refills, snack options including fresh Montague JAZZ™ Apples, sunscreen and any minor repair or first aid assistance.
Do you have young kids who love to cycle? We have you covered! Ride Nation, one of Australia’s largest cycling networks, will be there on the day running various cycling skills clinics. Your child will have the chance to get on the bike, connect with other young cyclists and learn lifelong skills from some of Australia’s best accredited coaches.
For all your bike storage needs a bike parking valet servicewill also be available on the day from 8:30am – 3:00pm. The valet service will ensure that you can safely pop the bike away once you have completed your ride and enjoy all the township of Bruthen and the event village has to offer.
To participate in the Recovery Ride pre-event registration is required. All ride terms and conditions must be agreed to prior to the event. On the day there will be a designated ride registration check in point. All participants will be required to check-in upon their arrival to receive their Montague JAZZ ™ Apple Recovery Ride participant pack, including a cap, water bottle and a registration ID number plate.
A thorough COVIDSafe plan will be implemented for the Recovery Ride 2021 in line with the Victorian Government’s Public Events Framework. Event organisers will work with DHHS and all relevant parties to ensure that all aspects of the event experience are consistent with public health expectations.
The following points are some measures to be implemented on the day providing a safe event for all.
In line with the COVID Safe Plan, personal details will be collected for contact tracing purposes. QR scan codes will be required to be scanned upon entry into the event, and proof of completion will be required at ride registration points.
5 meters physical distancing is required between all groups from different households, whilst cycling and within the event village.
Participants and attendees must carry a face mask with them at all times. If the required 1.5m physical distancing is not possible, fitted face masks to be worn.
Trained COVID19 Marshals will be present, ensuring that all guidelines are obeyed, and event site cleaning is maintained.
Hand sanitiser stations will be available throughout the event, including at refresh stations. All attendees will be encouraged to sanitise hands upon entry to the event precinct.
If required, to avoid crowding and congestion start lines/ times will be staggered to ensure that physical distancing is maintained, this may also apply to the number of people at refresh stations at any one time.
Participants who are displaying symptoms (cough, sore throat, fever) are asked not to attend the event along with anyone who is awaiting test results. Further information about Covid19 and testing can be found at the DHHS website.
To keep up to date with all things Foodbank be sure to follows us on our socials:
Facebook @foodbankvictoria
Twitter @FoodbankVic
Instagram @foodbankvictoria
LinkedIn @Foodbank-Victoria
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Bairnsdale welcomes Farms to Families Pop-Up Market
A year on from the bushfires, our Pop-Up Market truck returned to East Gippsland to bring free fruit and vegetables to the Bairnsdale community. More than 150 families came along to enjoy free fresh produce. Here are some of the wonderful people we met on the day.
Bringing free fruit and vegetables to Morwell
We recently hit the road in our Farms to Families Pop-Up Market truck to bring free fresh produce to the Morwell community for our very first market for 2021!
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