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South Australians are being urged to donate much-needed food items this week, as RAA and charity Foodbank seek to address alarming hunger statistics released today.
Foodbank SA’s latest Hunger Report, released today as part of Anti-Poverty Week, has revealed more than 255,000 South Australian households experienced food insecurity in the past year – an almost 20 per cent increase on last year’s figure (213,000).
Of those, a record 155,000 suffered ‘severe’ food insecurity, meaning they missed multiple meals or went an entire day without food.
RAA General Manager Community & Corporate Affairs Emily Perry said volunteers from RAA and Foodbank SA would be out in force this week, collecting donations for RAA’s annual community Food Drive.
“It is devastating to see how many South Australian families are struggling to put food on the table – a number that is continuing to grow,” Ms Perry said.
“As the state’s largest member organisation, we want to do all we can to help those in our community who need it most, which is why our ongoing partnership with Foodbank SA is so important.
“In the last financial year we helped Foodbank deliver more than 359,000 meals for those in need, and we’re hoping to do even more this year as demand increases.
“We’re urging South Australians to look out for RAA’s Mobile Food Hubs and donation bins, which will be accepting food donations from today as part of RAA’s annual community Food Drive.
“Our RAA Mobile Food Hubs are the big purple vans that will be visiting major shopping centres in Elizabeth, Mt Barker, Tea Tree Plaza, Marion and Victor Harbor throughout the week to collect much-needed donations.
“I encourage any South Aussies who are in a position to, to buy a couple of extra non-perishable food items in their weekly grocery shop for those in need.
“Food donations can also be dropped off at participating RAA Shops, and cash donations can be made on our website.”
Foodbank SA CEO Greg Pattinson said the Hunger Report also found 31 per cent of food insecure households in SA are mortgage holders, and another third were struggling due to rental increases.
“Food insecurity is a major issue facing our community, with more than one-third of South Australian households having experienced food insecurity in the last 12 months,” Mr Pattinson said.
“Many of these households have experienced hunger for the first time, with the cost-of-living being the primary reason.
“The RAA and Foodbank partnership with our RAA Foodbank Mobile Food Hubs has been invaluable to supporting our mission; getting the most good food, to the most people in need, the most efficient way possible.
“This anti-poverty week we call upon the South Australian public to donate to Foodbank at one of the RAA Food Drive locations. Each donation made will directly support the community that the donation is made in.
“Together, we will be feeding South Aussies in need.”
South Australians can donate much-needed food items all week at participating RAA Shops.
They can also donate food or cash at the RAA Mobile Food Hub, which will be stationed between 8.30am and 12.30pm at the below locations.
For more information visit www.raa.com.au/foodbank