VOLUNTEER doorknockers can do their bit to help Foodbank Victoria make the most of its Urban Street Harvest pilot program in Maribyrnong.
The program involves excess fruit and vegetables being collected from gardens in a selected part of Maribyrnong and distributed to people in need
FV chief executive Ric Benjamin said it was time to try the pilot out in urban Melbourne after its success in Wodonga.
The next step is finding volunteer doorknockers who can discover which residents are happy to take part in the pilot, to run in an area of Maribyrnong bordered by Rosamond Road and River, Gordon and Mitchell streets.
The program comes as Foodbank released Australia’s first hunger report, revealing low-income families are the largest group seeking food support from welfare agencies.
Foodbank currently provides enough food for 32 million meals a year, or 88,000 meals every day.
But the ‘End Hunger Report’ shows an extra five million kilograms of food items are needed this year to feed Victorians in need.
The report found seven in 10 welfare agencies are facing an increase in the number of people seeking food and nine in 10 not having enough food to meet total demand.
Foodbank Australia chief executive John Webster said food parcels were the most common form of food relief as the number of people seeking help rapidly increased.
“Disadvantaged families are finding it tough to meet their basic needs. They don’t want assistance with food preparation, just the essential ingredients to put a meal on their table at home.”
To assist as an Urban Street Harvest doorknocker between September 17-23, contact Foodbank Victoria on 93628300.
