Help is on the way for families in the Yanchep area struggling to put food on the table, with Mobile Foodbank to start servicing the area from Tuesday, August 24.
There is an exceptionally high need for food relief in Yanchep and surrounding suburbs and a lack of services extending beyond Joondalup.
Bracknell St every Tuesday starting from August 24.
Foodbank WA worked closely with the City of Wanneroo and Uniting WA to source a site for the new service.
Yanchep Community Men’s Shed kindly offered their facility, with the Mobile Foodbank truck now set to distribute food hampers from its Bracknell St carpark every Tuesday.
Uniting WA chief executive officer Amanda Hunt said a significant number of people in Yanchep and surrounding areas were living under food stress.
“With the government’s Covid support removed, pressure on working families has never been greater, ‘’ she said.
“Evidence tells us that place-based solutions work,” said Ms Hunt.
“We’re proud of the work our team has done with Foodbank WA to facilitate a solution that will meet the specific needs of the local community.”
Foodbank WA acting chief executive officer Fran Ferreira said Foodbank WA was thankful organisations like the Yanchep Community Men’s Shed and Uniting WA were there to help extend the reach of Mobile Foodbank.
“According to last year’s Hunger Report, 61 per cent of food insecure Australians have accessed food relief since the start of the pandemic,’’ she said.
“That remaining 40 per cent who are going without is really concerning.
“Struggling families often don’t have the means to travel to our Centre for Hunger Relief at Perth Airport, so it’s vital we get the food to where it’s needed.”
Mobile Foodbank has expanded its reach over winter, adding four new locations in the Joondalup-Heathridge area.
Mobile Foodbank provides a range of food options, the most popular being frozen meat packs and fruit & vegetable bags.
Yanchep Community Men’s Shed chairman Malcolm Gow said Foodbank was doing a wonderful job.
“We are delighted that we can help, and with the blokes talking to friends in need, it looks as though we will have some regular customers for you,’’ he said.
Mobile Foodbank will be at Yanchep Community Men’s Shed on Tuesdays from 9.30am to 10.30am, starting August 24.
A referral from a charity is required in order to receive food hampers.
If you need help or know someone who does free-call The Emergency Relief & Food Assistance Hotline on 1800 979 777, Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.
The 2020 Hunger Report is available at foodbank.org.au/foodinsecurity
This article appeared on Yanchep News Online on 12 August 2021.
