Foodbank Breakfast Program Growing

You may be surprised to learn that many Aussie children go to school without breakfast, and remain hungry throughout the day.

Foodbank’s School Breakfast 4 Health & Agencies Team Leader Adam Loftus visited Griffith last week.

“Food has become a discretionary item,” Mr Loftus said.

“We have six schools in Griffith participating in the breakfast program.

“For some children, the breakfast at school is the only meal they have all day.” In some instances, families are forced to choose between paying rent and utilities or buying food, and food usually loses.

Mr Loftus said that no matter where the school was situated or what size it was, the program would come to them because it was all based on need.

“Everybody eats together and students help serve the breakfasts as well,” he said.

“It teaches them social responsibility.”

The Riverina supplies a lot of the food that Foodbank distributes. In fact, in the past 12 months, 1.6 million kilos of fresh food came from the Riverina.

Foodbank continues to expand and they are aiming to have 700 Australian schools engaged in the breakfast program.

Foodbank has also been instrumental in emergency and disaster relief all around the country.

They gave out 6000 hampers following the Hawkesbury fires and are still supplying hampers to those still getting back on their feet.

Thanks to the charity groups, businesses and producers of Griffith and the Riverina, Foodbank has become the pantry for the not-for-profit organisations.

Mr Loftus said he would like to thank all the supporters, donors and farmers. “We couldn’t do what we do without their generosity,” he said.

“I hope they realise what a tremendous difference they make to families struggling to make ends meet.

“Sometimes members of the public comment on the quality of the product, saying it is better than they could buy in the stores.”

John Moore has taken over the role of Produce Manager (Riverina) following Lou Revelant’s retirement.

• Topics:

• Charities & Good Causes
• Health & Wellbeing