A generous donation from the Community Bank Woori Yallock and District (WYD) to Foodbank Victoria has helped provide thousands of free meals to those in need.
It came after Bendigo Bank partnered with Foodbank Victoria to help alleviate the growing demand on its supplies as food insecurity grows with the cost of living.
Community Bank WYD branch manager Justin Hall said the bank was glad to support families and individuals facing food insecurity in Australia.
“As the branch manager I am very excited to share the news from the Woori Yallock and District Community Bank. Our team is incredibly proud,” Mr Hall said.
“It’s heartening to see how our local community can come together and make a real difference.”
The bank made a $5000 donation to Foodbank Victoria on 29 August which marked the end of the Vic Metro’s Winter Food Drive.
The Vic Metro’s Winter Food Drive lasted the entirety of August which pushed for food donations to help replenish the shelves of Foodbank Victoria.
“This contribution will help provide around 10,000 meals to individuals and families facing food insecurity,” Mr Hall said.
Foodbank is the largest hunger relief charity in Australia that links surplus food and groceries to people in need, which was established in 1930 to support Victorians through the Great Depression.
It provides food and grocery relief to just under 3000 frontline charities and 3220 school breakfast programs to help feed people in need.
In the last 12 months, 3.4 million households in Australia struggled to put food on their table
Last year alone, Foodbank sourced enough food for 92 million meals.
It currently is looking specifically for eight staple items that are most in demand: tuna, sauce, pasta, rice, cereal, UHT milk, canned fruit and canned vegetables.
Alongside Community Bank WYD, the Warburton-Yarra Junction branch and Wandin-Seville branch also took part.
Community Bank Wandin-Seville executive officer Leah Thompson said the collective action from all the community banks would combine to make a big impact.
“All of the Bendigo bank branches are collecting donations for the month of August so together there should be an opportunity for a meaningful donation to help make a difference,” she said.
Mr Hall thanked those who supported the Community Bank WYD and said supporting those struggling with food insecurity was a collective effort.
“A huge thank you to everyone involved for supporting this initiative—together, we can help those struggling with the reality of food insecurity.”
“Thanks finally to our customers without your support, we wouldn’t be unable to give back to the community in this way.”
