Foodshare calls for locals to give gifts worth giving this Christmas

KEY local food-relief charity Bendigo Foodshare is aiming to raise $50,000 during this year’s Christmas Giving Appeal – an amount that would match 2024’s total – in order to keep up with burgeoning demand throughout the holiday season and into the New Year.

CEO Michelle Murphy said kindness this Christmas has the potential to make a real impact, and if people are in a position to help, there are several ways to offer meaningful support.

The straightest route is to donate directly through Foodshare’s secure website, with all amounts over $2 tax deductible.

With many other food relief services across Central Victoria closed during the Christmas to New Year period, donations will also help the charity run a four-day Pop-Up Christmas Food Pantry either side of the big day.

Anyone in need can find the Pantry at St Paul’s Cathedral in Myers Street on Monday 22 December and Monday 29 December, Gateway Park Function Centre in Kangaroo Flat on Tuesday 23 December and California Gully Mechanics Institute Hall on Tuesday 30 December.

Additionally, as in previous years, interested parties can pick up a Reverse Advent Calendar box from Belle Property Bendigo (108 Pall Mall) or Bendigo Foodshare and add 20 pantry items before returning the completed hamper by Monday 15 December.

Foodshare’s relentless CEO Michelle Murphy said the multi-pronged fundraising endeavors are a function of “the harsh fact that people here in our community are going without.”

“Families are skipping meals, going whole days without food and making impossible choices between rent, bills, and groceries,” she said.

“Our 90-plus food partners are reporting increased demand, with new faces walking through their doors each week.” Nonetheless, Ms Murphy predicted the community’s generosity will help deliver food relief to local families doing it tough this season.

“Together we can make sure no one goes hungry this Christmas,” she said.

A recently released 2025 Foodbank Hunger Report revealed that one in three Australian households (3.5 million households compared to 3.4 million last year) are now experiencing food insecurity, with one in five severely affected.

This year’s report also highlights a significant lag between economic and household-level recovery.

While positive signs of economic recovery are being observed atmacro level, the same cannot be said at household level, particularly for those experiencing severe food insecurity.

Household finances remain under pressure with just one in five (21 per cent) Australian households reporting that they’re living comfortably on their current income, while more than one in three (36 per cent) are finding it difficult or very difficult to make ends meet.

Almost half of severely food insecure households also reported reducingtheir purchases of fresh fruit and vegetables, protein and other essentials.

Even among moderately food insecure households, almost one in three said they’ve been forced to cut back on similar core items such as fresh produce in order to cope with rising costs.

Donations can be made directly through Foodshare’s secure website. Access the 2025 Hunger Report on the Foodbank website.