WINTER IS HERE….

Winter is already so hard for many South Australian families; with this year expected to be our toughest winter yet.

In the last six months, we have seen every aspect of our business impacted. Firstly by the bushfires and now COVID-19. This has come at a time when our services are already being relied upon by a growing number of South Australians, unable to afford enough food for themselves and their families.

So many in Australia have been impacted one way or another by the COVID-19 pandemic. The closure of businesses and loss of jobs, the uncertainty bringing extra stress and anxiety, and on top of all that, the added pressure of bracing for a cold Winter.

The unemployment rate in South Australia alone surged to 7.2% in April from 6.3% in March, with more than 40,000 South Australians experiencing job losses due to COVID-19. Last year Foodbank SA were supporting more than 126,000 South Australians every month. This has since increased by over 30,000 people due to these impacts in the last few months.

“I am able to feed my children and keep them warm this winter. Without Foodbank I wouldn’t be able to…. The stress Foodbank take away every week is huge – I wouldn’t survive without them.”

– Claire, Foodbank Client

In fact, the need for food relief is so great, that for the first time in our 20-year history we held a Food Amnesty Drive-Thru at Foodbank SA on Saturday 9 May to help source essential food and grocery items. We were overwhelmed by the level of public support and collected over 25,000 meals in just 1 day. While this is an outstanding community effort, this will only cover 2 days’ worth of meals required to feed South Australians experiencing hunger.

In our fight to end hunger, Foodbank SA is supplying on-going relief to those in need after the devastation of the bushfires whilst continuing to provide approximately 20,000 meals to those in need, each day in South Australia.

“A lot of people would not be able to eat if it wasn’t for Foodbank, a lot of kids would go hungry including mine, thank you Foodbank”

– Jarrod, Foodbank Food Hub Client

While the full impact of COVID-19 in our community is yet to be seen and as we brace for one of the toughest winters yet, we believe that South Australian’s have an opportunity to pull together and help to ensure that no one is left without a meal in this unprecedented time of need.

By giving a $100 tax deductible donation you will help Foodbank to put an additional 200 meals on the table to support families in need this Winter.

During South Australians time of need, we are here to help. But, we can’t do it alone. We appreciate your support.