Foodbank brings joy this Easter

Thursday 9 April, 2020: Easter wouldn’t be Easter without the excitement of opening a delicious chocolate egg and enjoying it with family. Foodbank has been working hard to make sure vulnerable children won’t miss this simple pleasure despite financial hardship and COVID-19 making this Easter particularly challenging for many.

As we prepare to spend the holiday weekend self-isolating at home, Foodbank, with the help of its generous donors, Ferrero and Mondelez, has made sure Aussie children will have a bit of normality. Hundreds of pallets of delicious Ferrero and Cadbury eggs and bunnies have made their way to Foodbank’s charity network around the country, just in time for Easter.

Foodbank Australia CEO, Brianna Casey, says this donation will be sure to put a smile on thousands of children’s faces.

“We have fabulous food donors who have supported us though drought, floods, bushfires and now COVID-19. This heart-warming donation of Easter goodies will not only bring some joy to the thousands of families devastated by job losses and business closures as a result of COVID-19, but it will also provide a bit of familiarity in what has been a challenging and stressful period,” Ms Casey said.

Foodbank helps vulnerable Aussies access food and groceries, no matter what the crisis. Pre-COVID-19, the not-for-profit organisation was already providing food relief to more than 815,000 Aussies a month, and that number is now growing by the day. If you, or someone you know needs food relief, please visit www.foodbank.org.au to locate your closest food relief charity.

-ENDS-

Interview opportunities:

Sydney – Foodbank Australia CEO, Brianna Casey

 

Visuals available:

Photos -donated chocolate eggs and bunnies in Foodbank Warehouse

B-Roll – Foodbank warehouse and general duties

Social media video – Featuring Ferrero bunnies donated in 2019

B-Roll – Mondelez producing Cadbury Bunnies

 

Facts*:

  • More than one in five Australians experienced food insecurity in the last 12 months (2019)
  • Foodbank was providing food relief to 815,000 Aussies every month pre-COVID and has experienced a 50% increase in demand for food relief in recent weeks.
  • At least once a week, three in 10 food insecure Australians go a whole day without eating
  • Charities are struggling to meet the rising demand for food relief. 22% state an increase in the number of individuals seeking food relief from charities. 37% of charities meet the full needs of the people they assist
  • Unexpected bills or housing payments are often the immediate reason a person will go hungry
  • 70% of Australians experiencing food insecurity were unable to find a job for an extended period time
  • Foodbank provides food relief to 2,400 charities and 3,000 schools

*Foodbank Hunger Report 2019

-Ends-

Media enquiries

Rebecca Collins
Foodbank Australia
M +61 409 786 132
E Rebecca@foodbank.org.au

 

About Foodbank

Foodbank is a food relief organisation that partners with the entire Australian food and grocery sector to supply front-line charities nationally with the stocks they need to address hunger in the community. This involves working with farmers, wholesalers, manufacturers and retailers to source fresh and manufactured foods as well as personal and household items for those in need. Donations include stock that doesn’t meet industry specifications, is close to expiry or excess to requirements. Companies also make donations as part of their corporate social responsibility commitments and cause-related marketing campaigns.

Foodbank supplies food and groceries to more than 2,400 charities and also provides regular breakfasts for students in 3,000 schools across the country. As a not-for-profit organisation, Foodbank relies on governments, individuals, organisations, community groups and thousands of volunteers to fight hunger.