Residents urged to back Feed Geelong Appeal as system buckles under pressure

A local woman who became homeless during the Covid pandemic has revealed how food relief helped her family, as the system comes under increasing pressure.

The community is being urged to help fight hunger as demand for food relief in the Geelong region continues to climb.

Jamie-Lee and her partner became homeless during Covid. They first visited the Geelong Food Relief Centre about five months ago, which she said had made a huge difference to their lives.

“We’ve been able to pay bills with our income, knowing that we can still get food and provide for our kids and our family and feed ourselves at the same time,” she said.

“It’s a massive, massive relief and difference for us.”

Jamie-Lee said her life would look very different if she hadn’t been able to access the help.

Jamie-Lee says support from the Geelong Food Relief Centre has changed her life. Picture: Supplied

“We’re able to get fruit and vegetables and cooked meals and still be able to eat healthy and give ourselves the nutrients that we need without having to go for the fast food options or the two-minute noodles every night.”

The Give Where You Live Foundation is calling on the community to help fight hunger during the Feed Geelong Appeal, which started on Monday and runs until World Food Day on Sunday.

The foundation’s chief executive, Bill Mithen, said increased demand was putting pressure on food relief agencies across the region, who were working hard to make sure they had enough to help those in need.

“Unfortunately, this year the Give Where You Live Foundation has only been able to fill 65 per cent of local requests for food vouchers,” Mr Mithen said.

A 2020 report from Social Ventures Australia revealed that 53,000 families and individuals in the Geelong region needed food assistance over 12 months.

Give Where You Live Foundation boss Bill Mithen

“Having access to an adequate supply of nutritious food is a human right,” Mr Mithen said.

Funds raised during the Feed Geelong Appeal would help provide much needed support to food relief agencies across the region, he said.

“This year’s Feed Geelong Appeal is more important than ever, with the increased cost of living and lingering impact of Covid-19 impacting food security across our region,” he said.

“As the cost of groceries and living expenses rise, so, too, does the number of people in our community reaching out to food relief agencies for support with food assistance.”

Donate online at www.feedgeelong.com.au

On Friday, when you donate your lunch or coffee money, it will be doubled (up to $15,000) – thanks to matched-giving partners.

Originally published as Residents urged to back Feed Geelong Appeal as system buckles under pressure