Coles and Foodbank align
The season of festive cheer is fast approaching – but for some Australians, this Christmas and New Year will be one of the toughest yet.
Foodbank, Australia’s largest hunger relief organisation – distributing food to more than 1900 welfare agencies, is looking for donations from the food industry and consumers to create “an Australia without hunger”. According to Foodbank, two million people in Australia – over half of whom are children – rely on food relief every year. They will team again with Coles supermarkets over the Christmas period, with Coles asking shoppers to help those in need who struggle to feed themselves and their families, by donating groceries into Foodbank bins in outlets around the country between 4-17 December.
As part of the alliance customers can either bring non-perishable foods from home to donate or they can purchase products in store. Coles will be offering a range of Foodbank-preferred products at special prices to help shoppers wanting to donate to the campaign.
“In a country like Australia it’s hard to believe so many men, women and children don’t have enough to eat,” Foodbank CEO, Bronwyn Boekenstein, said. “Through the support of Coles, and many other generous companies, donations to Foodbank have increased 20% per year for the past three years, and now help feed over 48,000 people a day.”
“However, many more people are in need of food relief. With 13% of Australian adults and 15% of children living in poverty, the holiday season is an especially difficult time,” Ms Boekenstein added. “With the support of Coles, their suppliers and customers, we’ll be able to make a real difference to the many people who are struggling to make ends meet.”
