Volunteering and philanthropy are core pillars of social responsibility that strengthen communities by providing essential support and create positive and meaningful change, particularly in areas where resources may be scarce.
By adopting socially responsible practices, businesses and individuals can contribute to a sustainable future, address social issues, and foster an inclusive society.
Foodbank WA CEO Kate O’Hara said volunteers are "the backbone" of its operations, while philanthropy "plays a critical role" in funding initiatives such as Foodbank WA's fully funded School Breakfast Program which provides healthy breakfasts to more than 500 schools across the state.
"Volunteering not only benefits the recipients of services but also enriches the lives of the volunteers themselves, fostering a sense of purpose, community connection, and personal growth,” she said.
“Philanthropy is so important to us and plays a critical role in funding initiatives that address our most pressing challenges and helps fill the gaps where resources are limited, allowing for innovative solutions to a huge social problem."
Foodbank WA's CEO Kate O'Hara.
Support from corporate partnerships and the community helps to deliver the not-for-profit's mission to improve food instability in our state.
“Social responsibility, volunteering and philanthropy are integral to creating a vibrant and resilient Western Australia. This support makes a meaningful difference in the lives of those who call Western Australia home," Ms O'Hara said.
In addition to community support, Foodbank WA's CEO added that further government assistance would reduce the load on the charity. "If the Federal Government chose to do just one thing, then we’d recommend it is to Raise the Rate," she added.
“To help move the cogs and make sustainable change we need to have a good look at how much changed for individuals during COVID. JobKeeper and JobSeeker demonstrated that by providing a pragmatic welfare payment, communities in need have a capacity to significantly decrease their need for charity support."
Social responsibility outcomes
Each year, 1.5 million individuals dedicate their time to volunteering in Western Australia, generating a substantial value of $63.9 billion for the state.
Volunteering WA, a national leader in corporate volunteering, connects corporate volunteers with organisations, providing meaningful opportunities to make a difference in the community.
Traci Gamblin, Volunteering WA’s lead for corporate volunteering, said corporate volunteering enables businesses to meet their social responsibility and staff wellbeing outcomes.
“This past year, Volunteering WA’s corporate volunteering brokerage service facilitated almost 3,500 corporate employees at over 100 community organisations across Western Australia,” she said.
“There is still plenty of room for growth, with Western Australia’s corporate volunteers having the potential to bring substantial value to not-for-profit organisations and in becoming dedicated ambassadors of community causes.”
With the cost-of-living crisis driving up the demand for Foodbank WA’s services, corporate volunteers provide vital support to their kitchen and warehouse operations.
“Volunteering WA estimates the replacement labour cost of corporate and community volunteers at $16.5 billion – which is tangible and irreplaceable volunteers on-the-ground helping organisations and community groups deliver sustainable business models,” Ms Gamblin said.
Corporate volunteering partnerships
Meath Hammond, head of corporate affairs WA at BHP, said more than 1100 BHP staff volunteered their time as part of a corporate volunteering partnerships last year, supporting around 50 community groups across Perth, Kalgoorlie, Port Hedland and Newman.
“Their feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with almost everyone saying they feel an improved sense of wellbeing and a greater understanding of societal challenges as a result of their volunteering efforts,” he said.
“We are incredibly proud of our people for giving back to their communities and thankful to Volunteering WA for their ongoing support.”
Rio Tinto has also partnered with groups like Volunteering WA and Foodbank WA.
Caitlin Westgarth, Rio Tinto vice president of health, safety, environment and communities, said partnerships with organisations like Volunteering WA and Foodbank WA are an important priority for Rio Tinto as the miner works to give back to the communities where they operate.
Rio Tinto's RioGivers volunteering at Foodbank.
“As the current cost-of-living crisis sees an increasing number of people call on additional support, with more than two million households around Australia having experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months, it’s great to be able to help where we can,” Ms Westgarth said.
In 2023, Rio Tinto employees contributed 3,733 hours of volunteering support across WA communities.
“Our partnership with Volunteering WA is crucial in delivering team volunteering activities in the community as part of our RioGivers program, which enables employees to donate, volunteer or fundraise to causes close to their heart,” she added.
Rio Tinto’s relationship with Foodbank WA goes back to its inception in 1994, with initial funding to help establish the program.
Rio Tinto is a corporate volunteer with Foodbank.
“Recently a team of eight Rio Tinto employees helped pack 16 pallets of food boxes at Foodbank WA’s warehouse at Perth Airport to help families in need. It’s just one of the ways we’re proud to be giving back to the community,” Ms Westgarth said.
Bankwest has also partnered with Foodbank WA as a corporate volunteer.
“Our partnership with Foodbank WA is critical to our commitment to supporting those more vulnerable in the community, providing invaluable services for households and families, especially during times of economic challenge and cost-of-living pressures,” said Bankwest’s general manager of customer, marketing and communications, Jodene Murphy.
“Paid volunteering leave enables our colleagues to volunteer more than 7000 hours a year with organisations such as Foodbank, and at key times, such as our volunteering mega month May by Us and November’s 16 Days of Volunteering for 16 Days in WA,” she said.
“We’re proud of our nearly 130-year legacy in WA and our volunteering program forms an important part of that commitment, with about 3000 of our colleagues calling this state home and valuing the opportunity to give back to their communities.”
By Hearts and Minds
