Feed Victoria: Ask Izzy data shows food relief searches are up 101 per cent

New research has found Australians are increasingly struggling to afford food and reaching out for help — and the problem isn’t confined to people who are homeless or unemployed.

The rising cost of living is pushing ‘everyday’ Australians into poverty.

Hunger isn’t confined to people who are homeless or unemployed — it is becoming a big concern for a growing number of everyday Australians.

The latest figures from website Ask Izzy show a 101 per cent jump in people searching for food relief over the past year.

Ask Izzy was developed by Infoxchange as a free one-stop shop site to connect people in need with vital support services in their neighbourhood.

Food now accounts for more than a third of searches on the website, which has had more than 2.4 million hits since its national launch in 2016.

Infoxchange chief executive David Spriggs said the data showed a broader picture of need in the community.

“We knew (Ask Izzy) would be a vital resource for people experiencing homelessness,” he said.

“What we didn’t see coming was the huge demand for food support from everyday Australians who aren’t necessarily homeless but are nevertheless struggling to make ends meet.”

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In Victoria there were more than 64,000 searches — 175 a day — for food relief last year.

This does not include the thousands of people already relying on local charities to feed themselves or their families.

“That’s what’s so disturbing about these figures — those turning to Ask Izzy are often people who are reaching out for help for the first time,” Mr Spriggs said.

Almost a third of the searches were from people in Melbourne’s CBD with St Albans, Tarneit, Reservoir, Frankston, Preston, Quandong, Sunshine, Craigieburn and Footscray making up the top 10.

Foodbank’s Hunger Report shows four million Australians struggled to afford food at some point last year. Pictured is Foodbank Victoria chief executive Dave McNamara. Picture: Mark Wilson.

“What you really get from the data is the sense that, while there were a lot of inner-city searches, the need is not confined to one area but right across the state,” Ms Spriggs said.

“People would be surprised to know people were struggling in their suburb.”

Many of the Victorians who anonymously sought food relief also searched for disability, mental health and family violence support services.

Foodbank Australia’s Hunger Report revealed low incomes and the high cost of living, such as large bills and mortgage or rent payments, were the most common reasons people were unable to afford food.

Combined Churches Caring Melton manager Denise Morris said the community food bank helped up to 60 struggling families — increasingly the “working poor” — each week.

“We generally don’t help people who are not eligible for a healthcare card but the working poor are slowly increasing in numbers — people on low incomes, part-time or casual workers, people who are very ill.”

MORE: GET BEHIND THE FEED VICTORIA APPEAL IN 2019

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THE WEBSITE THAT HELPS FAMILY VIOLENCE SURVIVORS FLEE

Ask Izzy is a free, anonymous website that also connects people with housing, legal, medical, employment and counselling support.

It was developed by Infoxchange in partnership with Google, REA Group and News Corp Australia.

You can help people in your suburb by donating to the Feed Victoria Appeal.

The appeal provides grants of up to $50,000 to help grassroots charities boost their capacity to store, cook and distribute food for people going hungry.

The Feed Victoria Appeal is in collaboration with Leader Community News and FareShare, and powered by Newman’s Own Foundation.

Every dollar donated goes to food charities and just 50c can provide a meal for someone in need.

You can make a secure, tax-deductible donation here.