Foodshare puts the call out to help the hungry this winter

IN one year, the number of people Bendigo Foodshare regularly feeds has increased more than 10 per cent to over 17,000.

It would seem last week’s launch of the charity’s annual Winter Food Drive couldn’t have come at a better time.

The campaign, which will run until Friday 21 August, calls on the community to donate a total of 5,000kg of non-perishable food items across more than 20 supermarket drop-off points in the region.

Bendigo Foodshare CEO Michelle Murphy said food insecurity in central Victoria is now unlike anything staff and volunteers have ever seen in the organisation’s 13-year history.

“Winter is one of the toughest times of the year for many families,” she said.

“When you’re already stretching every dollar, the extra cost of heating your home, buying warm clothes for the kids or replacing a leaking roof after heavy rain can be enough to push a household beyond its limits.”

She said Foodshare is hearing from its food relief partners that more people are seeking support than ever before, including many who never imagined they’d need to ask for help.

“The queues for food relief are getting longer and the stories coming through our doors are changing,” she said.

Murphy said the Winter Food Drive is one way the community can make an immediate difference for local people feeling the pinch.

“If you’re doing your weekly shop and are able to help, simply grab an extra packet of pasta, rice, breakfast cereal, canned food or another pantry staple and pop it into one of our yellow collection bins on your way out,” she urged.

“It’s a small gesture that can make a real difference to someone doing it tough this winter.”

Community members can also drop donations directly to the Bendigo Foodshare warehouse at 227 Breen Street, Golden Square.