THOSE of us fortunate enough to be able to afford three square meals a day most likely take it for granted.
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But there are many people in our community for whom accessing nourishing food is a daily challenge.
Spiralling rent, higher living costs, high youth unemployment and a worrying homelessness trend are forcing people to take drastic measures to survive.
Taking shortcuts on food is just one way of saving money to pay for essentials in other areas.
That’s why an organisation like the Warrnambool and District Foodshare is so important.
The organisation performs a much-needed service for the less well-off in the south-west by sourcing food from various places such as supermarkets and other retail outlets and then distributing it to welfare agencies and community groups.
Like many community organisations whose business it is to help the less fortunate, it goes about its work quietly and without fanfare.
However, it does want to make a bit of noise at the moment because it needs money to secure its long-term future.
Foodshare’s present premises provided by South West TAFE is temporary so Foodshare is seeking a more permanent home.
It costs roughly $80,000 a year to run Foodshare.
It might sound like a lot, but the benefits that it brings to people in need are immeasurable. Without it, there would be many vulnerable people in the community who would be much worse off.
It might seem inconceivable to some, but the south-west is home to lots of people young and old who can’t feed themselves properly.
They need your help.
You can contribute by supporting Foodshare and to do that you can make a financial donation at each of Warrnambool’s three Coles supermarkets, Ace Radio, the Archie Graham centre, South West Credit, Fishtales Café, the City Memorial Bowls Club or online at mycause.com.au.
Do it before you sit down to your next meal.