Foodbank WA and the West Coast Eagles, together with Mineral Resources, are calling on the WA community and all West Coast Eagles supporters to join The Million Meal Challenge for 2023. In the most demanding period for food relief that Foodbank WA has ever experienced, The Million Meal Challenge is aiming to raise significant funds to support Western Australians who are struggling to make ends meet as the cost of living continues to skyrocket.
Tuesday 11 April, at 2:00pm the charity event will be launched at Foodbank WA's Centre for Hunger Relief at Perth Airport. Andrew Gaff, Ella Roberts and Jackson Nelson from West Coast Eagles will be joined by Joshua Thurlow, CEO - Lithium, Mineral Resources and Kate O'Hara, CEO, of Foodbank WA in Foodbank's Community Kitchen preparing meals to support our fellow West Aussies in need.
The Charity Game between West Coast Eagles and Carlton at Optus Stadium is scheduled for Saturday 29 April.
Mineral Resources has committed to double donations from Eagles members and the WA community up to $50,000. This is in recognition of the increasing degree of food stress West Aussies are currently experiencing and having to skip meals to make ends meet.
MinRes Chief Executive Officer, Lithium Josh Thurlow said: "No one in our State should go without food, not even for a day.
"That's why MinRes is proud to partner with Foodbank to help put food on the table of WA households who are doing it tough during the cost-of-living crisis.
"We are kick-starting the Million Meal Challenge by committing $50,000 to double all donations made by West Coast Eagles members and the WA community. "Members of our workforce and their families will be at the game to take donations and we'd love to see everyone dig deep for this very worthy cause."
West Coast Eagles CEO Trevor Nisbett said the club was proud to contribute to the Foodbank Million Meals campaign, along with long-standing partner Mineral Resources.
"We know that many WA families are doing it tough and encourage everyone to join the million meals challenge - Every dollar donated is two meals created." Mr Nisbett said.
"For over a decade we have partnered with Foodbank WA to make a real difference. Our members and fans are outstanding, and we know they will rally to the cause when we take on Carlton under lights at Optus Stadium."
Foodbank WA CEO Kate O'Hara said "West Coast Eagles have been supporting us for the past 11 years, helping us to tell our story and raise much-needed funds. And with the help of MinRes, we can see the power of three great West Aussie organisations working together to rally the community in getting behind The Million Meals Challenge.
Cost of Living pressures see 90% growth in demand for Foodbank WA services over a two-year period.
At Foodbank WA, the number of new customers is growing daily. Families in our community are reaching out for assistance and now we have days where it is over 1,000 households shopping with us. We have experienced a 90% growth in demand across the state. Both a new socio-demographic and the traditionally vulnerable need our assistance. Over 13,000 households are registered and have access cards to Foodbank representing close to 35,000 adults and children. 14% identify themselves as Aboriginal and/or Indigenous Torres Strait Islanders.
Foodbank's Hunger Report in October 2022 revealed that over half of food insecure households (54%) had someone in paid work and nearly a third of households with a mortgage (30%) have experienced food insecurity in the past year. This figure would be higher today given the increases in interest rates since the report was released. The ACOSS March 2023 report shows that one in eight people now live below the poverty line and for households relying on benefits, 68% are eating less or skipping meals while 81% are cutting back on meat, fresh fruit, vegetables and other fresh items.
No one should have to skip meals, especially children but many families are so they can pay bills, fuel, rent to keep a roof over their heads. We want to make sure people don't go without healthy food. We want to be the hope that people need when the going gets tough.
Mineral Resources has already contributed $100,000 earlier this year to help feed fellow West Aussies doing it tough and have now kicked in another $50,000 to this Charity Game. Every dollar donated will be doubled so I encourage fans to dig deep."
It's tough for families. Joanne, a single mum, recently shared her story about how they continue to be rocked by problems that individually might be manageable but together are often too much to bear.
"I couldn't put food on the table… it's something you don't plan for. You plan for emergencies in the house or something breaking, you don't plan for an injury to one of your kids." There were days were Joanne missed meals just so her kids would eat. Perhaps the worst part of her story? It's not uncommon.
This Charity Game, now in its third year highlights the valuable service that is available for people experiencing food insecurity.
Foodbank WA is calling on the WA community to make a donation online today at https://foodbank.org.au/wa/wcemillionmeal/. and have it doubled, thanks to Mineral Resources. Volunteers will also be collecting donations on game day, before and during halftime.
Food Assistance is available to anyone struggling to access or afford food. Phone the Emergency Relief & Food Assistance Hotline 1800 979 777, Monday to Friday 9.00am - 5.00pm.
If you would like to know about Foodbank WA please visit foodbank.org.au and Mineral Resources by visiting MinResCareers.com
