Foodbank WA is the principle hunger relief organisation in the state. The new Kalgoorlie-Boulder branch represents a major expansion of its operations and will help extend its reach across the Goldfields, surrounding desert communities and into the South Coast.

The Australian Children’s Trust was established by Andrew and Nicola Forrest to assist under-privileged individuals throughout Australia. The recent donation to Foodbank WA unites the organisations to combat the hidden issue of hunger in Australia.

Foodbank WA CEO, Greg Hebble comments, “We’re excited to again join forces with the Australian Children’s Trust and are overwhelmed by the generosity of Andrew and Nicola’s donation. I believe our organisations share similar objectives to help disadvantaged Western Australians enjoy the same nutritional and education opportunities as those more fortunate.”

In addition to providing food to over 650 welfare agencies across the state, Foodbank WA also manages a School Breakfast Program. Commencing in 2001, with just 17 schools, the program now provides nourishing breakfast to children at more than 317 schools and has become one of the most important programs run by Foodbank WA.

Foodbank CEO Greg Hebble comments, “In 2010, the Foodbank WA School Breakfast Program directly reached over 11,000 children, serving over 37,000 breakfasts and 11,500 ‘emergency’ meals per week.”

The support from the Australian Children’s Trust will be used to purchase a much needed refrigerated delivery truck to carry out pick ups as well as delivering fresh groceries to welfare agencies and schools across the Kalgoorlie-Boulder region.

Recognising the work of Foodbank across the state, Nicola Forrest comments, “The Australian Children’s Trust wishes the new branch all the best and is proud to be involved in the fantastic work Foodbank WA is undertaking to support Australians in need.”

Foodbank WA’s new Kalgoorlie-Boulder branch is expected to be completed in June this year.

About Foodbank WA

Foodbank WA opened in Perth in 1994. It is a non denominational, not for profit organisation. Foodbank WA provides a bridge of support between the food industry and community support agencies looking after Western Australians in need, many of whom are children. Since opening it has redistributed over 23 million kilograms of edible food to the people of Western Australia. Without Foodbank WA this food would have gone to waste, thus saving 230,000 cubic metres of landfill.
This year Foodbank WA will supply over 2.4 million kilograms of food that was previously being used as landfill. Foodbank WA supports over 650 community agencies and over 300 schools.
There are currently regional branches of Foodbank WA in Albany, Southwest (Bunbury), Geraldton and Peel.

About Foodbank Australia

Foodbank is the largest hunger relief organisation in Australia. In partnership with the food industry, the corporate sector, governments, welfare agencies and volunteers, Foodbank is tackling the hidden problem of hunger in Australia, one empty stomach at a time. It is a non-denominational, national organisation, with distribution centres in six states, the Northern Territory and eight regional centres. Foodbank is endorsed by the Australian Food and Grocery Council as the food industry’s charity partner.

In 2009/10 19 million kilograms of food was donated to create 25 million meals. This enabled Foodbank to assist 2,800 welfare agencies provide 70,000 meals every day.

Foodbank acts as a conduit between the food and grocery industry’s donations and the welfare sector’s needs.  Food companies deliver their donations to Foodbank warehouses and welfare agencies collect the donated food and distribute it to people who don’t have enough to eat.

Media enquiries:
Brittany Roper
Red Agency
P: 02 9963 7719 / M: 0431 237 335
E: Brittany.roper@redagency.com.au

Natasha Carroll
Red Agency
P: 02 9963 7725 / M: 0412 765 672
E: Natasha.carroll@redagency.com.au