AFL star Max Gawn throws his weight to help struggling Aussies

An AFL superstar has thrown his weight behind a worthy cause that attempts to help struggling families forced to choose between eating and heating.

An AFL superstar has thrown his weight behind a worthy cause that attempts to help feed families in need.

Melbourne Football Club’s captain Max Gawn has partnered with Red Tractor, Aldi and Foodbank to promote the “Buy One, Give One” campaign.

Essentially, every 1.6kg bag of Red Tractor oats – which retails for $6.50 – sold from July 2 at Aldi will see a bag of the same size donated to Foodbank.

Each donated pack of oats creates up to 40 meals for families in need — with a goal to create three million breakfasts through this campaign, which runs while stocks last.

Gawn kicked off the initiative at Foodbank’s distribution centre in Victoria.

“As an athlete, I know how important a good brekkie is to set you up for the day. But millions of Aussies are going without that basic start,” he said.

“When you grab your Red Tractor oats during this campaign, you’re not just feeding your family, you’re feeding another family too. It’s such a simple way to make a huge impact for Aussies doing it tough this winter.”

Aldi's Special Buys could help create three million meals. Picture: news.com.au

Foodbank’s 2024 Hunger Report highlighted that low income households are at breaking point, and one in five median income households earning less than $95,000 a year are food insecure. Around 60 per cent of food insecure households in Australia are experiencing it at a severe level. This means they regularly skip meals or go entire days without food.

“Every day we see Australians choosing between heating and eating. This winter, we’re not just asking people to buy oats, we’re asking them to be part of the solution,” Andrew Loader, Red Tractor’s CEO, said.

“As a proud Australian brand, we see this as our responsibility. Every bag purchased doesn’t just support Australian farmers, it directly feeds families who otherwise might go without.”

Max Gawn is promoting the Foodbank campaign. Picture: Supplied

This is the second year the campaign featuring Red Tractor oats and Aldi has run, with three million meals donated last year.

Those involved want this year’s campaign to have an even stronger impact.

Brianna Casey AM, Foodbank Australia’s CEO, said: “We believe everyone deserves to have access to good food and there is nothing more satisfying on a cold winter’s morning than a warm bowl of oats to start the day.

“We are incredibly thankful to Red Tractor and ALDI for the generous support they provide Foodbank with this much-needed donation of delicious, nutritious Australian grown oats.”

Originally published as AFL star Max Gawn throws his weight to help struggling Aussies