Thanks A Million campaign: Foodbank volunteers Trevor and Judy Grant stepped up effort in 2020

As demand for food relief increased in 2020, Trevor and Judy Grant did not think twice about giving up their time to help.

Retirees Trevor and Judy Grant are being praised for their increased charitable efforts last year.

The couple volunteer as hamper packers at the Hobart branch of food relief charity Foodbank.

“We just kept going with the lockdown – somebody had to offer help as some of the other volunteers dropped out,” Mrs Grant said.

The 69-year-old has been volunteering for seven years with the largest food relief charity in Australia.

As demand for food hampers increased in Tasmania, Mrs Grant and her 68-year-old husband – who has volunteered at the charity for three years – doubled their volunteering days to two.

Mrs Grant’s twin sister Glenda Paton joins them one day a week.

Their voluntary efforts have seen them nominated in the Thanks A Million campaign for going above and beyond during the national emergency.

Trevor and Judy Grant are being praised for their increased charitable efforts last year. Picture: Supplied

They have a 40km round trip from their home in Blackmans Bay, south of Hobart, to the charity base.

“We were doing a lot of Christmas hampers before Christmas and have also been packing hampers for international students and people not able to access JobKeeper and JobSeeker payments,” Mrs Grant said.

“We’ve also helped with a mini-supermarket at Foodbank where charities can come and shop at a picking bay.”

The couple ran an electrical contracting business on the island before retirement.

Mrs Grant said it was a surprise to be nominated.

“It was nice to hear that and for our efforts to be appreciated,” she said.

Mrs Grant was also busy last year making 100 face masks for the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre in Melbourne.

The Thanks A Million Pride of Australia awards recognise those who have gone above and beyond to help their fellow Australians through the challenges of 2020.

Nominate someone at thanksamillion.net.au