By Natasha Fujimoto
WITH the double whammy of interest rate rises and inflation taking its toll across the community, food relief agencies are responding to an increase in demand.
As lower to middle income families are particularly hit with mortgage stress, local food relief service FoodShare chairman, Jeremy Rensford said that he has never witnessed such a demand for relief before.
Partnering with supermarkets, businesses and other food rescue agencies, FoodShare redistributes fresh and nutritious food to those in need via 128 registered agencies including local emergency relief agencies, community centres, charities, churches and schools, which provide invaluable breakfast programs to hundreds of kids per week.
Since October last year, Jeremy said that FoodShare has registered nine additional agencies as a consequence of the increase in demand, while daily orders have also risen.
Wishing for a world where organisations such as FoodShare were irrelevant, Jeremy said that with many first-time seekers stepping forward for relief, it was crucial to remember the very Australian ethos of extending a mate a hand, without need or fear of stigma when it was somebody’s ‘turn’ to seek help.
Knowing only too well Greater Shepparton’s generous capacity to step up and contribute, Jeremy said that there are many ways for individuals, groups and businesses to offer support.
Community houses, and registered food relief such as FoodShare run on both the generosity of volunteers and donations, while in addition, Council provides a registry for individuals keen to support the community with their time and expertise.
Effusive about the ability of local groups, clubs and businesses to raise money in support of relief agencies, Jeremy recommended first time relief seekers call Family and Financial Services or to head into a local community centre to get the ball rolling today.
