BENDIGO Foodshare needs your help to survive.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The charity that distributes more than one million kilograms of food to central Victoria's most vulnerable people each year will launch an Everyday Central Vic Appeal on the lawn next to Bendigo library at noon on Wednesday.
Foodshare must raise $100,000 by June or be forced to wind back its operation, including a morning breakfast program helping 40 schools.
Money raised will cover the rent of an industrial warehouse, running costs for a van that transports food across central Victoria and the operation of equipment such as a forklift.
Foodshare has one part-time employee and survives on the goodwill of volunteers.
The charity has invited the general public to attend the appeal launch to hear stories of how Foodshare works and about the people who support the organisation.
Chairwoman Cathie Steele said every dollar donated by the community through the Everyday Central Vic Appeal would help pay for 16 meals to be transported to organisations helping people in need.
"We're super efficient but it can't cost nothing," she said.
"Every bit people donate helps.
"The community can do this - this is a wonderful community.
"As a region, we can do it. We can make it work and help those people doing it tough.
"Anyone, at whatever level they can help, please help."
Ms Steele said the Foodshare Appeal would run until June 2015 to cover the following year's operational costs.
She said if Foodshare didn't meet the $100,000 target, it would have to scale back the services it provided, including the 40 school breakfast programs.
"It's not going to fail - it can't," she said.
She said demand for food had increased in recent months and Bendigo's most vulnerable people relied on Foodshare to eat.
Foodshare transports meat, vegetables, dairy products and canned food to schools and emergency relief services - including the Salvation Army and Saltworks Pantry - which in turn give food to people living in poverty.
The Bendigo Advertiser reported last month that an astounding 25 per cent of Bendigo's population had experienced a food crisis in the past 12 months - meaning they had run out of food and not had money to buy more.
To make a donation, click here and follow the prompts or call 5444-3409.
The Bendigo Advertiser has run a series building the profile of Foodshare to show its worth to our community. If you have any doubt how valuable this organisation is, read on...
