Food for all: appeal to help feed Geelong’s most vulnerable

THE Give Where You Live Foundation has launched its annual Feed Geelong Appeal to fight hunger across the region.

Running until October 17, the appeal raises funds to fight food insecurity across the region, assisting those in need of healthy, sustaining and culturally appropriate food.

All funds raised during the Feed Geelong Appeal help a variety of food relief programs throughout our region ensuring that people have a variety of ways to get access to the relief that is right for them.

Cafes and restaurants across the region will also be hosting donation tins.

Coinciding with World Food Day, October 15 is the appeal’s Brown Paper Bag Day, where the Foundation encourages everyone across the region to donate what they would usually spend on their lunch or dinner and help someone who may not be eating on that day.

Organisations can register for their own virtual Brown Paper Bag Donation page by phoning the foundation on 5229 4364 or emailing [email protected]

“We run Feed Geelong because access to food is a human right and there is a fundamental need for food relief agencies to be supported in providing emergency food,” Give Where You Live Foundation chief executive officer Bill Mithen said.

“This issue is hidden. This is an issue that as a community we need to be taking very seriously. So in part, the appeal is about opening people’s eyes and lifting the lid on this hidden issue.

“Having access to a good supply of nutritious food is a human right. It doesn’t matter where you are. As a developed, prosperous city, we should all be working to change the food insecurity in our region.

“Supporting organisations that are at the forefront of emergency relief is core to the foundation’s mission and food relief has always been a big part of emergency relief.”

“While at face value food insecurity seems like a basic issue – people need food – the reasons for it and causes of it are many. So, for things that have many causes, you need many solutions.”

The food relief organisations in the Geelong region have been heavily affected by the pandemic, with many unable to open throughout the lockdowns and have seen their programs change to accommodate the restrictions.

Since the start of the pandemic, 71 per cent of food relief organisations have reported a major impact on food supply, and 71 per cent also reported a loss in volunteer staff.

“We should all be incredibly grateful to the agencies and the people in those agencies who over the past 19 months have had to contend with some of the most intense conditions – feeling overwhelmed, overstretched, and under-resourced,” Mr Mithen said.

“Anything we can do to support them is important – whether that be moral support, financial support, whatever we can to keep them going and keep these organisations supporting our region.”

For more information on Feed Geelong or to donate, head to their website.