Foodbank WA Peel branch sees 17% increase in demand

With JobSeeker reduced, JobKeeper stopped and many families facing reduced income, high rent or worse, eviction - the charity says it expects demand to continue to rise throughout winter.

Foodbank WA chief executive Greg Hebble said the Perth warehouse had its busiest day on record last Friday, distributing more than 14 tonnes of food.

He said 28% of people who needed the charity's support last year had never gone hungry before with many being forced to face economic uncertainty and hunger for the first time in their lives.

"While the Western Australian economy has proved resilient in the face of significant challenges, there are still thousands of Western Australians facing a range of challenges every day," Mr Hebble said.

"With rents on the rise and vacancy rates at record low levels, we expect this situation to increase with many faced with rising living costs while wage growth remains consistently low across the board."

He said the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 had created the most challenging time in the charity's 26-year history.

But he said it had been "wonderful" to see community spirit strong in WA.

Related: 'We are bracing for higher demand': Foodbank Peel ramps up emergency food relief efforts

"We know that 43% of people who need our help go a whole day without eating at least once a week," he said. "Which in a country and indeed a state as wealthy as Western Australia is a cause of great concern."

This year, therefore, with expectations of even higher demand than previous years, support for Foodbank WA this winter to help families across WA who need support is more important than ever.

"The demand for Foodbank WA's support has never been so great and we have never needed community support as much as we do now.

"We know the full impact of the change in COVID-19 Government assistance will continue to grow over winter as rents continue to rise, tenancy agreements end and people who are currently living off their savings see them deplete. Vulnerable people, many who had never gone hungry before the pandemic, will be looking at empty shelves this winter without our help."

For every $1 donated, Foodbank WA provides two meals to those in need. Donate online at foodbank.org.au or call 9258 9277 to donate.