Feed Appeal grants help Traralgon, Baw Baw, Warragul, Bairnsdale

Vulnerable families in Victoria’s east will be helped after vital funding was granted to local food relief charities.

FareShare CEO Marcus Godinho. Picture: Supplied

Food relief charities will continue to provide meals for vulnerable Gippsland communities after the Feed Appeal raised a record $1.96 million.

Funds raised in the annual campaign support Australia’s largest charity kitchen FareShare to cook millions of nutritious meals for people doing it tough.

FareShare chief executive Marcus Godinho said the funding would have an immediate impact on people struggling to put food on the table.

“FareShare is experiencing the greatest escalation in demand for its meals in our 20-year history with charities requesting double the number of meals they usually order,” he said.

“Our chefs are working harder than ever to provide the healthiest meals possible as the economic pressures from the pandemic have seen so many Australians who have never experienced food insecurity before joining others asking charities for help.”

Three food relief charities in Gippsland were recipients of the food staple grants.

Gippsland Farmer Relief in Traralgon, Baw Baw Combined Churches Food Relief in Warragul and Bairnsdale Neighbourhood House all received $10,000 each.

Bairnsdale Neighbourhood House chief executive Leanne Jennings said many people who use their services were single elderly people.

“With Bairnsdale Neighbourhood House providing a balanced four course meal, they get their daily intake of fruits, protein, vegetables and dairy,” she said.

“We have several clients who have health problems or their partner may have, again we can help to take away the stress and burden of cooking when supplying a hot meal.”

Squeaky Gate marketing manager Kristen Moxey said the olive oil and vinegar producer proudly supported the grants because food insecurity in regional and rural communities continued to be an ongoing issue.

“The combined effects of natural disasters, geography, and the pandemic has created a unique set of stressors in these areas that requires innovative thinking and resources to resolve,” she said.

“We have close ties to these communities and believe that now, more than ever, we need to support fellow Australians in need.”

Since its inception in 2009, the Feed Appeal has raised $9.8 million for community food relief charities and provided almost 20 million meals.

News Corp Australia’s Community Ambassador Penny Fowler said the result from this year’s fundraising would have a direct impact on the most disadvantaged Australians.

“The generosity of those who supported the Feed Appeal this year cannot be understated,” she said.

“This funding crucially will help ensure those in need will not have to worry about where their next meal will come from, or how to feed their family.”

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