Foodbank is calling on Peel region residents to dig deep into their pantries as part of the organisation’s Shout a Meal Appeal.
Western Australia’s largest food relief organisation, Foodbank provides enough meals to help feed 53,000 WA citizens every month, but demand still outstrips supply.
The appeal will aim to boost those supply stocks, as more than 7000 people go hungry each month.
Foodbank Peel regional manager Megan Reynolds said the appeal would increase awareness about the largely hidden issue of hunger in WA.
“Many people think that poverty and hunger are third world problems but there are people in Western Australia who don’t have enough money to buy food for themselves or their family,” she said.
“The face of hunger is diverse. We see men, women, the old and young, families and singles, students, the employed and the unemployed coming into Foodbank every day.”
Last year Foodbank WA provided 5.7 million meals or 2.88 million kilograms of food to Western Australians. That included to WestAus Crisis and Welfare Services who run the Healthy Breakfast Club program in the Peel region.
Foodbank WA ambassador, Perth Wildcats captain and Australian 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,” he said.
“A donation of $10 will allow Foodbank to provide enough food to feed someone for a week. 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.”
For more information, go to foodbankwa.org.au
