TERRA LEA, ROOXANA AND SAM WITH THE ITEMS DONATED BY COUNCIL STAFF.

Published on 20 December 2018

Council staff help fight hunger

Staff at the City of Onkaparinga have taken part in a food drive to help stock the shelves at the new Foodbank Food Hub in Christies Beach.

The Beach Road facility – which officially opened on 19 December 2018 – has been established to assist the growing number of families in the region who are struggling to buy food.

Foodbank provides food to relief organisations and allows low income families a place to access items at an affordable price.

The organisation successfully applied for a $110,000 Fund My Neighbourhood grant to establish the new hub and secured further funding from Onkaparinga Council.

“The need for a southern Foodbank Food Hub was highlighted during a pop up event we held in during the Fund My Neighbourhood campaign when 800 vulnerable South Australians from the southern suburbs were able to access free food and groceries in a two-hour period,” said Greg Pattinson, CEO, Foodbank South Australia.

“The impact of food insecurity is diverse in Australia, ranging from children to older people, and statistics show that 4 million people in Australia have experienced food insecurity in the last 12 months.

“We know there are currently more than 117,000 South Australians accessing food relief every month and one third of these are children.

“The Christies Beach Foodbank food hub is set up like a general store where those in need can have a dignified shopping experience and purchase items at a significantly reduced cost.

“A $30 referral voucher will enable a client to purchase around $240 worth of food including free fruit and vegetables.

“There’s a focus on healthy food items and there are also affordable recipe packs and readymade meals available. Cooking classes and food education are offered on site too.”

Individuals are assessed by welfare partners that Foodbank works with and issues those in need with a voucher to use at the food hub.

Foodbank is Australia’s largest food relief and food rescue organisation, providing food assistance to over 652,000 Australians every month, 27 per cent of whom are children.

The organisation works with the food and grocery industry to source food and bathroom, kitchen and laundry supplies as well as relying on governments, individuals, organisations, community groups and volunteers.

Foodbank also sources food items to support School Breakfast Programs and other food charities.

Onkaparinga Council staff donated hundreds of food items and toiletries for the Christies Beach food hub – filling four clean waste bins and nearly 10 large boxes.

Kitchen staples donated included pasta and pasta sauces, rice, canned food such as fruit, vegetables, soups and baked beans, spreads, long life milk, breakfast cereal, biscuits, tea bags, baby food and long-life milk.

“Local councils directly and indirectly address issues of poverty and disadvantage, and help to relieve cost pressures on South Australians,” said Philomena Taylor, Director Community Relations City of Onkaparinga.

“Our team was extremely excited to be part of this much-needed service and their efforts to help those less fortunate in our community is evident through their generous contributions.

“The donation comes just in time for Christmas and is very much in the spirit of the festive season – a time of sharing, giving, hope, appreciation and reflection.”

The Foodbank Food Hub is located at 59 Beach Rd Christies Beach.

Foodbank Food Hub Christies Beach

Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, 9am—4pm
(Closed Wednesdays, weekends and public holidays)
59 Beach Road, Christies Beach
Tel: 0458 913 112
www.foodbanksa.org.au

Assistance

Anyone who would like to access any of the Foodbank Food Hubs will need a referral voucher from a Foodbank partner agency. Agencies currently referring to the Christies Beach Food Hub include:

  • Baptist Church Christies Beach
  • Anglicare Christies Beach
  • ADRA Morphett Vale
  • Church of Christ Brighton
  • Life without Barriers (south)
  • St Vincent de Paul
  • Seaford Ecumenical Mission

Donations

General food donations can be provided directly to any Foodbank location.
For anyone who would like to conduct a food drive for Foodbank, register online at https://www.foodbanksa.org.au/want-to-help/donate-food/food-drives/

All other enquiries

For other enquiries or more information contact Foodbank on 8351 1136 or email reception@foodbanksa.org.au