Several years of unprecedented rising living costs have seen many families struggling to balance their budgets to support their families, whether that's ensuring they have a roof over their heads, fuel in the car, or food on the table.
"The cost-of-living crisis has not discriminated, affecting students, pensioners, single-income households, dual income households, and the list goes on," Kate O'Hara, Foodbank WA's CEO, said.
"Communities all around WA are struggling. The cost-of-living crisis has affected most people, at varying degrees but it seems that nobody has been left untouched.
"All over our state people are having to make unbearable decisions to keep their families in their homes and to have their bills paid. The food budget has long been the first item to be cut, however the consequences are alarming."
This year, more families have reached out to Foodbank for help than ever before. "As West Aussies battle cost-of-living and life’s challenges, their savings and disposable income are dropping below their affordability line," she said.
In a state as fortunate as WA, 370,000 households experienced food insecurity in the last 12 months with close to 200,000 households experiencing severe food insecurity in the same time frame with 1 in 5 people facing days of no food, the 2024 Foodbank Hunger report revealed.
"We hear every day that people are struggling to juggle their finances to be able to make ends meet. We are here be that safety net that people need to ensure they keep a roof over their heads and the power switched on. Healthy nutritious food is a basic human right that everybody deserves," Ms O'Hara stated.
"We know life can turn upside down in an instant. A job loss, rent increase or medical issue can mean families who never thought they would need Foodbank, suddenly do."
Bo-Anne, a single mum of three, is one of them. Like many parents, her world revolves around her children. When her youngest needed a kidney transplant at just 20 months, almost a decade ago, her world turned upside down.
Mum-of-three Bo-Anne turned to Foodbank to help her make ends meet.
Caring for her son and two young daughters became her full-time job, pushing career stability out of reach. Finding Foodbank helped her get back on her feet and ensured her kids didn't miss out on anything when times were tough.
Stories such as these are more common than we may realise. The 2024 Foodbank Hunger report revealed that Australia-wide more than 2 million households are experiencing extreme hardship and severely food insecure households are living with constant stress and worry about food, and 79 per cent saw their food run out without enough money to purchase more.
"We believe everyone should have access to healthy food; it's a fundamental human right," Ms O'Hara said.
As the cost-of-living continues to rise, Foodbank WA is experiencing 100 new households referred for help each day. Many, like Bo-Anne, never thought they would ever need to be asking for help.
Making a difference at Christmas
"In the heart of our community, there are hidden hardships that many of our neighbours face daily. That’s why we’re asking you to help us this Christmas. For every $1 you donate, we provide two meals to those who need it most," Ms O'Hara said.
"There are so many hidden hardships that people in our communities are facing. A meal at Christmas shouldn't be one of them. With your help, we can create little miracles this festive season for families all around Western Australia.
Foodbank's demand has continued to grow since its inception in 2004, and has experienced higher numbers of people relying on their support, especially since the pandemic and rising cost-of-living pressures. "We have continued to adapt and innovate to ensure we support our customers with the dignity and respect each and every individual through our doors deserves," Ms O'Hara said.
"At Christmas, especially, we want to take the burden off families and make sure that they have enough food for themselves and their families to be able to celebrate in any small way that they can, without the worry of, where will our dinner come from tonight?
"While Christmas is meant to be a time for family to come together, share a meal, open presents and make happy memories, for so many it is a time that brings stress and anxiety on how to afford it."
From nutrition education, to opening up regional branches, to mobile foodbank services which hit the road in 2019, Foodbank is reaching more people who need them.
"Another way in which we try to fight food insecurity was introducing the free fruit and vegetable concept this year which followed on from the the need for consistent availability of staples which we did in 2023 when we launched Everyday Food Essentials to ensure we always had this range available to customers," Ms O'Hara said.
"Our commitment to our local communities, individuals and agency partners remains strong and will continue to grow as needs do. We will always be here to ensure our fellow Western Australians have access to healthy nutritious food."
By Hearts and Minds
