412,146.
As the new Foodbank Hunger Report tells us, that's how many children in Victoria are living in homes where food runs out before money comes in.
Homes where mum or dad will be skipping meals to try and make sure the kids have something on their plate. And there are also days when there's no food at all. For any of them.
That's not a statistic. That's a heartbreak.
It's unthinkable - the pain those parents are going through.
But there's hope... real hope, and a real plan that's ready to roll out this Christmas if we can source enough food, and quickly.
We'll be creating real moments of joy and relief through our free festive markets, our three-course Christmas lunches in our Morwell and Ballarat Community Food Centres, and our mobile supermarket buses rolling out across Melbourne stocked with beautiful food and Christmas treats.
With the help of an angel like you, the team here at Foodbank Vic can make sure parents don't have to make that awful choice between rent and Christmas dinner this year.
Thanks for everything you do.
How does it feel to ask for food?
It's the worst. Think of a knot in someone's stomach that's tied up with shame, embarrassment, stress, humility, fear, frustration, uncertainty, awkwardness and tightly bound with a deep sense of hurt.
More often than not, they'll only need to turn to us once. But whether it's once, twice or fifty times doesn't matter at all. When people show up, we make them feel better. The relief on their faces, the stress that melts away when they realise we WANT them to reach out for help is how we know that we're providing more than food.
We know that awkward uncomfortable feeling, because we have to ask for your help. Your donation today will mean we can help people who have to draw on every bit of courage to lean into us this Christmas.
How you help
$35
will help buy fresh, seasonal veggies and pantry essentials so a family of four can enjoy festive meals together.
$60
will help stock pantries and fridges with enough nutritious food to fill empty plates every night of the week.
$120
will help purchase fresh, healthy produce to keep our comunity supermarkets full of good food and happy, smiling faces.
When one dollar means two meals, one donation means everything.
Donate today to provide nourishing food this Christmas ❤️
Need some help?
If you need help making a donation or with fundraising for Foodbank Victoria, get in touch on 1800 943 005 or SupporterCare@foodbankvictoria.org.au.
