As Western Australia’s largest food relief organisation, Foodbank provides enough meals to help feed 53,000 Western Australians every month.
Sadly, demand outstrips supply and more than 7000 people still go hungry every month.
Foodbank has launched its Shout a Meal Appeal as part of World Food Day and is asking for the people of Western Australia to donate to help the tens of thousands of people in need of food.
Foodbank WA ambassador, Perth Wildcats captain and Olympian Boomer Damian Martin said the Shout a Meal appeal was a simple way for people to make a difference to the lives of those in need.
“As an athlete and a new dad I understand just how important food is to grow, to perform and to feel well. A donation of $10 will allow Foodbank to provide enough food to feed someone for a week,” he said.
“That’s why it’s called the Shout a Meal Appeal, $10 is what many people might spend on lunch and coffee each day, by donating that money you can make a real difference to a lot of people’s lives.”
Last year Foodbank WA provided 5.7 million meals or 2.88 million kilograms of food to Western Australians. One of those recipients is the Nannup Community Soup Kitchen who have been receiving almost all of their food from Foodbank for the past three years.
Community Soup Kitchen creator Brownie Dickens said they were able to provide a healthy and nutritious meal for only five dollars every Tuesday at the local bowling club.
“I wanted to give something back to the community and Foodbank have been absolutely fantastic to deal with and allowed me to do that,” Hearn said.
“Each week we’ve been able to provide a soup, green salad, main meal, tea or coffee and dessert for between 28 and 32 people. And the people that come along are everyone from single mums to families with children.”
With more people needing help, Foodbank is now having to purchase some of its food, which is why the Shout a Meal Appeal is so important.
“At Foodbank we can make a little money go a long way. We’re always meeting with our suppliers to secure more food to meet the growing demand because we know that the fight isn’t over.”
You can donate to the Shout a Meal Appeal by texting FOOD to 0437 371 371.
For more information, go to: foodbankwa.org.au
