Feed Appeal: News Corp campaign helps thousands of Aussies
COVID-19 put thousands out of work and as a result just putting food on the table became a daily struggle. For many, News Corp campaign Feed Appeal came to the rescue – and continues to do so. Find out how you can get help and how you can support the initiative.
Central Sydney
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During the first week of Australia’s COVID-19 restrictions, 30 to 40 people were visiting the Kogarah Storehouse for food.
By the second week, Kogarah Storehouse Manager Lala Noronha said, over 100 people were queuing up outside.
“The fridge and freezer came to us on time,” Ms Noronha said.
“We felt there was someone up there looking after us.”
Industrial freezers and fridges purchased by the Kogarah Storehouse with a Feed Appeal grant in the months prior to COVID-19 were a saving grace, according to the charity’s manager.
The annual Feed NSW Appeal – part of the national Feed Appeal fundraiser – allocates donations from everyday Australians to food charities across the state.
This year, more than 400,000 Australians sought food relief for the first time.
Ms Noronha remembered one particular airline worker who had lost his job due to the travel ban, and had no money coming into the household for numerous weeks before jobseeker payments kicked in.
The Storehouse was also a lifeline for people who fell through the cracks, such as international students, temporary visa holders and refugees, she said.
Last year’s Feed Appeal raised more than $830,000, which was distributed as grants of up to $50,000 to 46 charities – from inner-city drop-in centres and suburban soup kitchens to food pantries in rural communities.
Charities bought refrigerated vans to allow food banks to collect and deliver food, industrial-sized freezers to help them store rescued food, and pantry staples such as rice and pasta.
Feed Appeal chief executive Katherine Gokavi-Whaley said the increased need for food relief was a long-term problem.
“Food relief partners are telling us they expect the increased demand to remain high for the next 1-2 years,” she said.
This year the Feed Appeal is also starting a Rural Schools Grants program, to support breakfast clubs and meals programs at rural schools.
The Feed New South Wales Appeal works in collaboration with News Corp and FareShare, and is powered by Newman’s Own Foundation.
Every dollar donated goes to food charities helping communities across the country.
Help people in your community by donating at feedappeal.org.au