For the first time in their lives, many people are finding it hard to put food on the table.

Whether you’re selling your turnips on Animal Crossing, or binging your way through Tiger King, everyone is spending their time in quarantine differently. However, there are some people who are struggling to get through these tough times.

During quarantine, you can support the work of the food relief charities that are making a real and positive difference to the lives of people in need.

 

What can and can’t you do?

A fifth of charities who usually help those experiencing food insecurity have closed their physical stores due to government restrictions. However, there are still some great and creative ways for you to help out.

Online donations can still be made to food relief charities, and any amount is appreciated. The Salvation Army is delivering food hampers and other essential items to vulnerable members of society. They rely heavily on the generosity of people like you to continue their work. OzHarvest is also in urgent need of funding to continue delivering food to those in need.

 

 

Volunteers play an essential role in making sure the food gets to where it’s needed. Food relief charities need volunteers now more than ever. If you are considering becoming a volunteer, please be aware that there will be hygiene measures in place to stop the spread of the virus.

Foodbank, Australia’s largest food-relief organisation, has teamed up with Y Waste to ensure that the food relief network can keep operating within COVID restrictions. Y Waste is an app which allows food outlets to donate food, and people experiencing food insecurity to claim free meals or buy cheap meals at a 50% to 80% discount.

Charities like Foodbank and OzHarvest are not accepting private donations of food at the moment. However, given the changing situation, it’s worth checking their social media pages for regular updates. If you do have excess food and want to give it away, consider giving it to friends, family and neighbours (but do adhere to social distancing rules).

 

Many people are in need of support.

Across the country, many people are struggling to feed themselves and their families due to the COVID-19 situation. However, with your generosity, these people can get the food they need and have one less thing to worry about in these trying times.

 

 

Simon Pham
Volunteer contributor
DoSomethingNearYou


4 May, 2020