Hunger Report reveals food insecurity in Victoria is on the rise

Foodbank’s latest Hunger Report reveals that women in Australia are 50% more likely to experience food insecurity than men. 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 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.

The Foodbank Hunger Report, now in its seventh year, surveys 2,000 charities and 1,000 individuals experiencing food insecurity from around the country. Foodbank Victoria CEO, Dave McNamara, explained that the report aims to better understand and explore what is a growing social crisis.

“The impacts of food insecurity are far beyond just feeling hungry. The report highlights the devastating mental health and wellbeing implications of experiencing food insecurity – especially for women,” said Mr McNamara.

Alarmingly, the data shows that 70% of food insecure Australians experience high or very high levels of psychological distress compared to only 13% of the general population. With mothers twice as likely as fathers to feel like a bad parent when there is not enough food in the house.

“The face of hunger in this country is changing. And sadly, it’s some of the most vulnerable in our community who are suffering. Feelings of shame, guilt and embarrassment, tend to act as barriers for people accessing food relief.”

“No parent should have to wonder how they are going to put food on the table for their families. It’s heartbreaking and distressing that this is occurring right here, in our own backyard,” said Mr McNamara.

In Victoria, Foodbank currently works with over 430 charity partners to provide enough food for 1.2 million meals a month. Concerningly, Victorian charities have reported a 25% increase in the number of people seeking food relief over the past 12 months.

“With the rising cost of living, we’ve seen the demand for food relief continue to rise. Despite assisting more than 140,000 Victorians monthly, our partners have reported an estimated 8,000 Victorians are unable to be assisted each month due to lack of resources.”

“How many Australians need to go hungry before we see real action to address this hunger crisis?” Mr McNamara said.

“At a federal level, we need a bi-partisan, whole-of-government plan to tackle the crisis. We are calling for a commitment to introduce a National Food Security Strategy to ensure we achieve zero hunger in Australia by 2030.”

MEDIA ENQUIRIES

Alexa Viani
Marketing & Communications Officer
alexav@foodbankvictoria.org.au
0466 459 266 or 03 9362 8333

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.

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.

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?

Cox Automotive Australia teams up with Foodbank to drive away hunger

Drive Away Hunger – a Cox Automotive global campaign – is an initiative aimed to support local foodbanks in a bid to help world hunger.

For the fourth consecutive year, Cox Automotive Australia (CAA) brands across Australia ran a 12-day food drive, with all donations going to Foodbank.

As part of the initiative, CAA invited all staff to take part in a nationwide CANstruction – building sculptures entirely of donated food!

Here are some of the marvelous creations….

Cox Automotive Australia teams up with Foodbank to drive away hunger

Over 12 days, a total of 1,741 kilograms was collected and donated to Foodbank – including 270 kilograms to Foodbank Victoria. This gigantic donation will provide more than 3,130 meals to Australians who may be struggling to put food on the table.

“Supporting our local community is a value we as a company take very seriously. We encourage our team members to volunteer and help out as much as possible,” said a Manheim staff member.

Thank you to Autotrader, CarsGuide, Dealer Solutions, Manheim, Sell My Car and Xtime for choosing Foodbank for this CAN-tastic initiative!

Inspired to hold a Food Drive?

Team Foodbank runs Melbourne

Fundraisers young and old braved the cold to run against hunger for Foodbank!

It may have been a chilly mid-winter morning, but that didn’t stop Team Foodbank from turning up the heat at this year’s Run Melbourne event on Sunday, 28 July.

Nearly sixty walkers and runners took to the streets of Melbourne’s CBD to take on the 5km walk/run, 10km run or Half Marathon.

The Foodbank spirit was alive and collectively, more than $10,000 was raised to help vulnerable Victorians through the winter months.

This year, Team Foodbank was joined by fundraisers from all ages. Prep to Year 12 students from Cullen House, St Leonard’s College, sported Foodbank jerseys as they conquered the race around Melbourne, raising more than $850 in the lead up to the event.

Meanwhile the youngest addition to the team, six-year-old Max D’Alessandro, raised more over $1,700 for his first ever Run Melbourne, and alongside his family, completed the 10km run with a proud smile on his face!

It truly was an inspirational day filled with determination, compassion and kindness.

Congratulations and thank you to everyone that joined and supported Team Foodbank for Melbourne’s most anticipated running event of the year!

Want to support Team Foodbank?