Call to support food funds

THE Feed Ballarat Appeal is back, raising funds to distribute to local food relief programs and organisations, keeping the city fed.

Thousands of dollars have already been raised via the Give Now page since Tuesday, 1 June at bit.ly/3cmKASw.

Ballarat Foundation CEO Andrew Eales said food insecurity is a huge problem across the region, always growing and in need of attention, especially after the economic challenges of the last 12 months.

Over 12 per cent of Ballarat people attend community meals and receive grocery support from emergency relief organisations to simply access safe, nutritious food, and live their lives.

The Appeal is run annually to address this issue, make a “real and lasting impact” across the district, and ensure that every child, adult and family is able to have a regular healthy feed.

“We saw such a large growth in demand for food relief last year which highlights just how vulnerable so many members of our community are,” Mr Eales said..

Tax deductible donations can also be made at ballaratfoundation.org, or via Feed Ballarat giving boxes throughout the city, including in some shops.

Money raised is invested into a sub-fund before it’s distributed to food relief programs and organisations through grants in the coming year to “feed one, feed all.”

Volunteers also directly address areas in need of attention by delivering their own programs within the Foundation.

The work of the Ballarat Foundation stretches beyond the City of Ballarat local government area.

The Foundation also supports Ararat Rural City Council and Pyrenees Shire, Hepburn and Moorabool shires, and the north of the Golden Plains Shire.