Urban Utilities has joined forces with Foodbank Queensland to provide hunger relief

There are increasing efforts to feed battling Ipswich families, with the impact of the Covid crisis beginning to show in the number of people going hungry.

Foodbank says the need for food relief has increased since COVID-19.

Urban Utilities is partnering with the state’s largest hunger relief charity to help meet the increasing demand for urgent help amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Foodbank’s latest data shows demand for food relief in Queensland has almost doubled since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.

Urban Utilities spokeswoman Anna Hartley said the Urban Utilities’ support would help Foodbank Queensland distribute food to 18 vital Ipswich charities that feed about 8,000 people each week.

“By partnering with Foodbank we’re not only giving those organisations a helping hand, we’re also supporting breakfast programs across 36 Ipswich schools,” Ms Hartley said.

“These programs help ensure more than 2,500 students start the day with a wholesome, nutritious breakfast.”

Ms Hartley said many people didn’t realise that reducing food waste also helped save water.

“It takes a lot of water to plant, grow and produce the food we eat and if food ends up in landfill, that water also goes to waste,” she said.

“Foodbank Queensland’s food rescue efforts save the equivalent to 950 Olympic size swimming pools – more than 2.3 billion litres of water – every year.”

Foodbank Queensland CEO Sara Harrup said food relief charities in Ipswich were supporting twice as many people now than they were before COVID-19.

Pastor Fred Muys from Harvest Rain Christian Care said Foodbank’s support helped the charity feed thousands of people in Ipswich every year.

“We operate a community food co-op which provides people with groceries and other essential items,” he said.

“We also run a community kitchen which produces more than 2,500 meals every week for distribution to the increasing number of people experiencing hardship – from needy families to the elderly who are isolated, especially during lockdowns.

“It’s thanks to Foodbank and the organisations that support them we are able to help people keep food on the table during rough times.”

For more information on Foodbank Queensland visit www.foodbank.org.au