Drysdale Foodbank in need of donations as demand increases

DRYSDALE Family Support Foodbank is in need of donations as it struggles to feed an increasing number of local families unable to put food on their tables.

The foodbank has operated from the Drysdale Community Church in Curlewis for about 18 years, and this financial year to date has helped 170 families.

Co-ordinator Jake Hogendoorn said demand for the foodbank had increased by 30 to 40 per cent compared to the same time last year.

“Our budget has just taken a battering and we are struggling to keep the cupboards full,” Mr Hogendoorn said.

“A couple of year’s ago, when we were also helping people across Geelong, our numbers were really high, so what we did was put a boundary at Boundary Road in Newcomb – this settled things down for a while.

“Before that we said we’d see our customers fortnightly rather that weekly.

“But now the numbers have gone up again and we are faced with asking for help or we are going to have to cut back our level of support or make the zone smaller again, which we don’t want to do.”

Mr Hogendoorn said each Tuesday, families attended the foodbank to receive a parcel that equated to five days worth of food, which included frozen meat, bread, eggs, cheese, fresh vegetables and fruit, plus packaged and refrigerated goods.

He said emergency parcels were also available any day of the week.

Mr Hogendoorn said while most of the food was donated, he estimated that, each parcel would cost about $170 if it was bought at a supermarket.

“Our major funder is Give Where You Live, which donates $30,000 a year, so we need to work out our yearly budget from that, but it doesn’t start again until July 1.

“When we start in January it’s usually quiet, but this year we started off with a bang and it hasn’t slowed down.

“We usually see 150 families in a financial year, but this year to date we have helped 170 families.

“Also, the biggest week we’ve had so far is 37 families on one Tuesday.”

Mr Hogendoorn said the foodbank was about $4,000 short until the end of June.

He put the increase down to more single parent families due to family violence, and that families were struggling with their children’s school expenses.

If you can donate food or finance, phone Jake Hogendoorn on 0402 410 232 or email [email protected].

You can donate directly to Bendigo Bank, BSB 633 000, account number 118464429.