The organisation, with the help of its partners, Bendigo Toyota, local Woolworths, Coles and IGA supermarkets, local businesses and the generosity from the local community that Bendigo Foodshare received 3164kgs of food donations and $51,142.73 throughout the campaign.

Due to the increase in demand for food relief across central Victoria, Bendigo Foodshare has been working hard maintaining their current warehouse operations so they are able to distribute more food.

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"Food relief organisations are seeing an increase in people at serious risk of food insecurity and hunger, including an increasing number of those asking for help for the very first time, and those facing homelessness," Bendigo Foodshare manager Bridget Bentley said.

"We would like to extend its thanks to everyone in the community for making sure people across central Victoria have had food on their plates during these challenging times.

"All food collected will be given out to people in need via local schools and charities across Central Victoria whilst money raised will ensure that Bendigo Foodshare can continue to provide its essential service of rescuing and distributing food."

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To support these efforts, Bendigo Foodshare created an online Christmas Giving Appeal to coincide with the Food Drive to ensure that they can keep the fridges running, vans on the road and food supplies up, and encouraged people to donate ahead of the festive season.

Bendigo Health chief executive Peter Faulkner said it was important to give back this Christmas.

"The pandemic has placed enormous strain on our community and our Public Health Unit team have been exposed first hand to numerous individuals and families who are facing hardship and needed significant levels of support including food hampers," he said.

"Hearing their stories really highlighted for me the significant level of disadvantage that exists within our community.

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"This year instead of providing a small gift for each staff member, Bendigo Health will be making a donation to Foodshare on behalf of all of us to help local families to have food in their fridge and pantry this Christmas.

"This is the season to spread joy and love and this donation will show people that we are thinking of them and we care."

Whilst the Christmas Giving campaign and Food Drive are over, donations can still be made to Bendigo Foodshare at its warehouse located at 2/43 Havilah Road, Long Gully between 9am and 2pm Monday to Friday or other times by appointment.

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