A MAJOR supermarket chain will be launching a local community food drive next week to help support Bendigo charities deliver high-priority food relief to people in need.
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Woolworths stores across Bendigo will kick off the week-long initiative on Wednesday and Bendigo customers will be encouraged to donate non-perishable food items into the specially marked local community food drive trolley in-store.
Woolworths Kennington store manager Adam Hutton said caring for the local community was a priority for him.
"We want to give back to those who need it the most," he said.
"It has been a tough year for a lot of people in the Bendigo community, which is why we want to support our local food relief partners in providing the necessary food required for those in need."
In last week's FoodBank Hunger Report, it was revealed that one in six adults haven't had enough to eat in the last year and 1.2 million children have gone hungry during the same period.
Additionally, one in three Australians struggling to meet their food needs are new to the experience, demonstrating the impact COVID-19 has had on communities.
"Right now is when we need to be showing support for the Bendigo community through the Woolworths local community food drive," Mr Hutton said.
"We know the pandemic has affected people from all walks of life with research from the latest FoodBank Hunger Report showing one in three Australians struggling to meet their food needs are new to the experience.
Donated items will be distributed either directly to a store's local community food relief charity partner, or via one of Woolworths' major food relief partners, such as OzHarvest, FareShare and Foodbank, and their network of local charities they support, to ensure Bendigo residents in need receive the donated essential food items.
Bendigo customers can get involved in the Woolworths food drive by donating non-perishable food items into the specially marked trolley at the front of the store.
"By simply adding non-perishable products such as canned fish, cereals, pasta, or rice in the trolley, Bendigo customers will be helping someone in need in our local community,' Mr Hutton said.
"We want to say a big thank you in advance to Bendigo locals for their compassion and giving generously through this week's food drive."
Items that have been identified by local charities as the core range of essential food relief items needed by individuals and families include
- Breakfast cereals
- UHT and evaporated milk
- Pasta, rice and instant noodles
- Coffee and tea bags
- Canned fish or meat
- Canned fruit and vegetables
- Soups and simmer sauces
- Spreads (peanut butter, honey, jam)
- Baked beans and spaghetti
- Baby foods
Bendigo customers can donate in-store at your local Woolworths to the Woolworths Local Community Food Drive from November 3-9.
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