Foodbanking that’s personal
Date: 13/12/2023
Description:
QUEENSLANDERS CALLS ON GIVING SPIRIT THIS CHRISTMAS
Queenslanders Credit Union is calling on the communities of Brisbane, Ipswich and Townsville to make Christmas brighter for hundreds of local families who will struggle to put food on the table during the festive season.
Charities such as Foodbank and the Salvation Army have reported a dramatic rise in the amount of people relying on assistance in the past 12 months, with many still overcoming the devastation of various natural disasters, coupled with the effect of the ongoing global financial crisis.
To support the local community, Queenslanders Credit Union has joined with the Salvation Army and Foodbank and set up a Christmas tree at each of its branches in Brisbane, Ipswich and Townsville to welcome donations of non-perishable food.
Foodbank General Manager Ken McMillan said the charity needed all the help it could get, with the organisation experiencing a 30 percent rise in the number of people requiring assistance in the past year.
“It’s probably been the toughest year in recent memory,” Mr McMillan said. “We’ve had a resurgence of the global financial crisis, rising electricity and water rates, and high petrol and food prices, while a lot of people are still coming to grips with damage done by various natural disasters.”
Salvation Army Townsville spokesperson Bruce Harmer said the charity needed all the help it could get, with this year the toughest in recent memory.
““It used to be mainly the unemployed that came to us for help, but we’re seeing more and more employed people that still can’t find the means to make ends meet.” Mr Harmer said.
“There are a lot of families under massive financial strain who will be grateful concerned organisations such as Queenslanders are lending a hand.”
Foodbank, a non-denominational charity, collects and distributes approximately 17,000 kilos of food to more than 2000 people each week in South East Queensland. Meanwhile, the Salvation Army will distribute tens of thousands of dollars in food, vouchers, hampers and other donations in the approach to Christmas.
Queenslanders CEO John Weier encouraged local residents to donate what they could before the food was handed over to the charities on December 19.
“We’re asking anyone who can to bring some excess food in from their cupboard or throw a few extra items in when they do their shopping between now and Christmas,” Mr Weier said.
“We’re encouraging our staff, members of the credit union and the general community to drop their food donations any time the branch is open.”
Mr Weier said Queenslanders was proud to do its part in helping take some of the financial pressure off.
“We’re confident our members will chip in and help out with donations as well.
“Christmas is really about giving and we want to encourage people to give what they can to others so everyone can enjoy the festive season.”
For more information please contact:
Brett Maunder
Marketing & Communication Manager
Queenslanders Credit Union Ltd
(07) 3218 7247
0409 014 085
[email protected]
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