Andrew Leigh

JASON CLARE MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS
SHADOW MINISTER FOR REGIONAL SERVICES, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND TERRITORIES
MEMBER FOR BLAXLAND

HON LINDA BURNEY MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR FAMILIES AND SOCIAL SERVICES
MEMBER FOR BARTON

ANDREW LEIGH MP
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR TREASURY
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER CHARITIES
MEMBER FOR FENNER

HOMELESSNESS CHARITIES IN REAL TROUBLE WHEN THEY ARE NEEDED MOST

Food Bank is running out of food.

They have suffered a 27% drop in food donations, at the same time there is a 50% increase in demand.

As winter approaches and the Centrelink lines get longer, the charities that help the homeless and most vulnerable are suffering the perfect storm.

Panic buying has meant supermarkets have very little short dated stock to donate.

The volunteer pool for a lot of charities is largely older Australians – most vulnerable to the Coronavirus.

According to Oz Harvest, this led to 173 of their food relief charity partners, nation-wide, closing their doors.

Most of these are smaller community-based charities that fill local needs. That loss places greater strain on other remaining services as the demand for help grows and grows.

Charities like Oz Harvest have also not been able to hold their major fundraising events this year that keeps the charity going.

It was due to conduct its annual major fundraising dinner, the CEO cookoff, tomorrow night. The annual event which brings in $3 million to provide 6 million meals is cancelled.

That’s 6 million meals Australians in need won’t get.

To help those most in need, homeless organizations need help more than ever before.

ENDS

Authorised by Paul Erickson, ALP, Canberra.