Thanks A Million campaign: Foodbank’s Helen Bell on the power of food relief

Foodbank is the largest food relief charity in Australia and responds to all national emergencies. Helen Bell tells of her role in 2020.

Helen Bell started working at Foodbank in late 2019 when a number of bushfires hit. Picture: Justin Lloyd

Ask Helen Bell how she spent Christmas last year and she may have trouble remembering.

The national partnerships manager with food relief charity Foodbank was days into her annual leave when bushfires flared and her whole team was called back to work.

They spent most of January working 18 to 20-hour days ensuring valuable donations and support from Australia and overseas made it to those most in need. The team also manned Foodbank’s social media accounts, answering the cry for help from communities affected by the bushfires as well as advising those who wanted to assist.

Ms Ball has been nominated in the Thanks A Million campaign for going above and beyond during the national emergency.

Nominate someone and say thanks at thanksamillion.net.au

“I was surprised to be nominated,” she said. “Yes, we worked hard, but all of us were just doing our job – this is what we were here to do. And in a way, even though it was such an awful time for Australia in general, it was a moment for me to understand the power of Foodbank and what an amazing job they do in the community.”

Foodbank is the largest food relief charity in Australia and responds to all national emergencies. Ms Bell and her team had to work hard to manage the overwhelming support that streamed in.

“My role diversified very quickly,” the former UK resident said. “We had to ensure we were getting the right support to the areas needing it, and as so much of that support came from the US and UK, we had to be up at different time zones to manage the inquiries.”

And just as Ms Bell and her team were catching their breath after the bushfires ravaged four states, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, compounding community need.

“It’s important to remember that the need for help doesn’t end when the bushfires stop, communities will keep needing help and support for years after a devastating bushfire,” she said. “So the need that resulted as a result of COVID-19 came on top of that.”

To nominate someone and say thanks, go to thanksamillion.net.au and they could receive a $200 Woolworths Gift Card.

Terms and conditions apply. For full terms and conditions, visit thanksamillion.net.au