The Western Bulldogs have joined forces with Foodbank Victoria to kick off the hunger relief organisations’s biggest ever food drive.
Bulldogs player Caleb Poulter joined Foodbank staff, including some dressed as food items, at their Yarraville warehouse to launch the 2025 food drive on Tuesday, August 5.
Taking place on the weekend of August 16 and 17, the food drive is set to be Foodbank’s biggest ever in order to meet unprecedented demand.
For the year to June, Foodbank claimed demand for its services surged by more than 500,000 meals and that almost 70,000 people relied on its support every day.
Unsurprisingly the not-for-profit food relief service is struggling to keep up, arguing its warehouses are short of essentials like pasta, rice, cereal milk and other basic ingredients most people take for granted.
Foodbank Victoria chief executive Dave McNamara said the shortage of supplies made this year’s food drive more important than ever and urged people to emulate the Western Bulldogs and show their support.
“If you’re a fan of helping Victorians in need, we’d love you to get behind our food drive – just like our incredible friends at the Western Bulldogs,” said Mr McNamara.
“Their support is helping us kick off something truly powerful.”
Mr McNamara said the ultimate goal of this year’s drive was to ensure their warehouses were fully stocked.
“Every can, box, and bag you donate puts food on the table for someone who might otherwise go without.
“With 69,000 Victorians relying on us every single day, chances are someone you know is affected.
“This event is about making sure we’re there with food whenever and wherever it’s needed.”
Foodbank nominated tuna, pasta, pasta sauce, rice, cereal, UHT milk, canned fruit and canned vegetables as the food items needed most, with people able to drop them off at the Yarraville warehouse on Somerville Road, from 10am to 3pm on both days.
Those who are unable to attend in person are still able to help out via Foodbank’s virtual food drive, with donations accepted online anytime at foodbank.org.au
