Foodbank today launched its inaugural Week of Care campaign to celebrate the support of personal care, pet care and household care partners and raise awareness of the importance of non-food items for people struggling to make ends meet.

Foodbank is Australia’s leading food relief organisation, but for many years has been providing more than pantry staples. In 2020, 10% of all items Foodbank distributed to people in need were personal, pet or household care items.

Foodbank Australia CEO, Brianna Casey, explains, “If you’re unable to access food for you or your family, it’s likely that items like soap, laundry detergent, sunscreen or toothpaste are also not easy to come by. These are products many of us take for granted, but are vital to living a life with dignity and confidence.

“We’ve always worked with the generous Australian food and grocery industry to rescue most items you would find in a supermarket, but personal and household care items have been in particular demand over the last 18 months as we respond to natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic alike. In the last year, Foodbank has packed more personal care hampers than ever before.

“The Foodbank Week of Care is an opportunity for us to thank the donors who support us and the people we help across the country, with everything from tampons to nappies, pet food and shampoo. But importantly, it’s also a chance for us to learn and share the importance of these items for people in crisis.

“Our most in-demand non-food items are personal products like toiletries, household products including cleaning supplies, baby supplies such as nappies, and pet food. These everyday essentials play a significant role for people rebuilding their lives after a flood or fire, parents working hard to support their family after domestic or family violence, and for those in our community who suffer most when panic buying clears the shelves.

“In particular, we’ve know women make up a large percentage of people needing assistance for the first time as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This has highlighted the importance of Foodbank having consistence supply of items such as period care products and makeup available so women struggling to make ends meet are able to bank on dignity and keep living a confident, active, healthy life.

“We’re looking forward to sharing these stories and thank our supporters for their ongoing contributions.”

Throughout the week, Foodbank will be highlighting its national donors and how their products make a difference to the lives of many in our communities across the country every day.

Foodbank would like to thank its national donors and campaign partners L’Oreal Australia, Mars Petcare, Beiersdorf Australia, Unilever ANZ, PZ Cussons, Kimberly-Clark Australia, Johnson & Johnson and The Sorbent Paper Company for their involvement and ongoing support, with special thanks to Boxer & Co. for the campaign design and assets.

Find out more at www.foodbank.org.au/week-of-care