Millicent Spencer
Foodbank will hold an emergency public drive-through in Epping this weekend to curb the food insecurity crisis facing many Victorians.
Foodbank Victoria chief executive Dave McNamara said the rising cost of rent, energy costs, and food are continuing to push more Victorians into severe food insecurity in the lead up to Christmas.
“In the last 15 years, I have never seen a situation like this,” said Mr McNamara.
“Not only are some of our largest charities reporting that they’ve moved from feeding 1000 people a week to 1400 people a week, but our distribution has also gone up 21 per cent – which is unheard of in the context of those 15 years.”
The Foodbank Hunger Report released in October 2022 showed that single parent households have been hit the hardest by food insecurity.
The report found 37 per cent of single parent households had to skip a meal or go whole days without eating in the last year.
Foodbank Australia chief executive Brianna Casey said demand for food relief services has risen exponentially.
“I have witnessed first-hand the rise in demand for food relief services over the past year as the country has been ‘recovering’ from COVID-19,” she said.
“Heart-wrenchingly, families with children are being hardest hit.”
Those in need of food will be able to drive-through and pick up a free hamper of fresh fruit, veggies, and pantry essentials.
The drive-through will be open from 11am on Sunday, December 4 at 55 Produce Drive, Epping.
