Season of generosity for Foodshare appeal

THOUSANDS of dollars and kilograms of food were donated to Bendigo Foodshare over the festive season.

About 3100 kilograms of food and $51,000 dollars will go to the food relief agency, and manager Bridget Bentley said she was humbled by the community’s generosity.

“It means a hell of a lot to us and it really shows the recognition of our community that we have been going through such tough times,” she said.

“We’ve had people being so incredibly generous choosing to donate money instead of buying gifts, that’s happened within organisations… and we’ve seen individuals do the same thing.”

Schools across the Bendigo region donated over one third of total food supplies, while the money raised will help fund operational costs for the charity and the purchasing of food into the new year.

With items including Christmas treats like pudding and candy canes, and pantry staples, Ms Bentley said the community donations were particularly important during the gift giving season.

“It helps our community to share that Christmas joy in being able to give in another way other than just buying presents for their family and friends,” she said.

“To be able to make such positive contributions to the wider community is so important.”

Into the new year, the charity will be operating a mobile Christmas food pantry for people in need.

On 4 January, the pantry will be located at Eaglehawk Community House, followed by Uniting Care in Kangaroo Flat and the Salvation Army on Mundy Street on 5 and 6 January, respectively.

“It’s an opportunity for people to make sure that they can get access to food,” Ms Bentley said.

“We’ll be in three locations across the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday handing food out.”