Charity calls for food champs

FOOD relief provider Bendigo Foodshare has launched its first-ever regular giving appeal after the number of people across central Victoria accessing its services jumped by 2500 over the past 12 months.

It now feeds more than 15,500 people every week through its 95 partners, an increase from 13,000.

CEO Michelle Murphy said demand was at record levels and called for locals to put their hands up to support the charity’s work.

“We’d love to find 100 people to help make a difference by signing up as a regular giver – a special group of people we’re calling our local ‘food champions’,” she said.

“No donation is too small – every bit helps us continue our mission to feed those who are struggling to put food on the table.

“A donation as little as $10 a month can go a long way keeping our vans on the road and meeting essential warehouse costs, (plus) supporting our growing and cooking programs to tackle hunger and inspire youth.

“A regular giver commitment can allow us to plan ahead and secure food and services that can go a long way to meeting the demand in our community.”

People can sign up as a local ‘food champion’ on the Bendigo Foodshare website.

Officially established as an independent charity on 11 April 2013, Foodshare has distributed over nine million kilograms of food with the help of around 500 volunteers since then.

You can also register as a volunteer on the website.