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Foodbank WA launches School Food Appeal

Lucas da PazSouthern Gazette

FOODBANK WA is urging local schools to sign up for its annual School Food Appeal during term two to help struggling West Australian kids and their families access meals this winter.

To launch the appeal, Super Fruity has partnered with the West Coast Eagles team mascot Rick the Rock and the pair will present a trophy to the school that collects the largest volume of food overall and the school that collects the largest volume per student.

Foodbank WA spokeswoman Charmaine Don said that the target is to reach out to more schools than they did in last year.

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“Foodbank WA is reaching schools in Perth and Regional WA via social media, traditional media and direct email to encourage them to support its appeal,” she said.

“Foodbank WA provides food to more than 450 registered charities throughout the state that feed the needy,” she said.

The School Food Appeal helps Foodbank WA tackle the growing issue of child hunger and is in its sixth year.

It accepts all non-perishable food donations with the most wanted items including: baked beans, spaghetti, tinned tomatoes, canned vegetables, canned fruit, pasta sauce, oats and canned soup.

“It’s never too early to teach kids the importance of charity and how small actions, such as donating food, can have a huge impact on those who are less fortunate,” Foodbank WA CEO Greg Hebble said.

The food will be used to keep up with the winter demand in Perth, Albany, Bunbury, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie and Peel.

The non-for-profit organisation feeds more than 94,000 West Australians each month, more than a third of them children.

It is estimated that 13,000 or more go without each month due to the lack of available food.

The majority of people assisted are the working poor and single-parent families.

Donations can also be made to Foodbank WA’s Winter Appeal at Foodbankwa.org.au.

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