The cost of living crisis is being felt across the region, with growing demand on food relief providers.
Foodbank SA Limestone Coast has recorded a 30% increase of food relief provided to last year.
The Mount Gambier Foodbank SA branch distributed 300,000kg of goods in the last 12 months to those in need in the Limestone Coast.
This equates to 600,000 meals for those struggling to put food on the table in the local community with more than 30% of that made up of free fresh fruit and vegetables.
Over 4000 people per month are supported via the Foodbank SA Limestone Coast food hub.
Foodbank SA Limestone Coast branch manager Lynne Neshoda an additional 75,000kg of food was needed to meet current demand.
“We have seen a huge increase right across the board, our hubs are busier and our school breakfast and lunch programs need is ever increasing as more families struggle to put food on the table,” she said.
Currently the not-for-profit organisation provides food to over 130 local charities and schools in the Limestone Coast and of this there are 38 schools receiving the free school breakfast program and 14 receiving the free lunch program.
There are 35 regular individual volunteers and seven corporate groups who help to get that food out which equates to over 10,000 volunteer hours donated this year to date from individual volunteers alone.
Ms Neshoda said Foodbank was lucky to have a fantastic group of volunteers who always go above and they could not provide the service they do without their valued help.
“The corporate groups that come to Foodbank on Fridays help get through a massive amount of work and this sets us up for the next week. I thank them all for their generosity,” she said.
Leading into the festive season Foodbank has commenced delivery of 1400 Christmas hampers into the region.
The Christmas hampers are delivered to agencies, charities and schools who then give them to the vulnerable in the local community as part of their Christmas cheer.
The hamper gives less fortunate people the opportunity to have some Christmas treats as well as staple food items they might otherwise have to go without.
Ms Neshoda said the sad reality is she knows it is going to get worse.
“We are seeing a lot of one income families with high rents and mortgages and they are skipping meals, cutting food to pay these bills so they have a roof over their heads,” she said.
“When families and individuals are struggling, Foodbank will be here to provide help to ensure no one goes hungry.
“Whatever is donated, whether that be funds or food, it goes back into our community to feed our local people.
“If anyone is thinking about donating funds, it is tax deductible, and we urge anyone that can help in any way to get in touch with us.”
People in need of assistance can contact Foodbank SA Limestone Coast on 8723 0287 to find out how to access their services.
