The organisation has seen demand for help rise 50 per cent with volunteers also ensuring local schools receive vital support.

Warrnambool and District Food Share executive officer Dedy Friebe said the growth in demand for food was partly because of the need from local schools.

“This time last year we would have said we were having a busy week with 50 hampers going out,” he said.

“We’re doing 70 hampers a week.”

Mr Friebe said the rise in those needing help was also due to Food Share’s increasing profile in the community and he praised the ongoing local support. 

He said data showed those receiving the food was a 50/50 ratio of adults to children.

“Children don’t have the same capacity to procure food like adults, that’s where it’s most poignant,” he said.

“People in the community are aware of the growing numbers who need support both in the long and short term.”

Mr Friebe said Food Share provided support to primary and secondary schools in Warrnambool and surrounds.

Warrnambool East Primary School operates a Nurturing Room for two hours every day from 9am-11am, which receives support from Food Share.

Principal Lindy Sharp said the school was grateful for the support the Nurturing Room received from the crew at  Food Share as it allowed children who missed out at home to enjoy breakfast at school.

“Food Share also provides support to students and families across the school whether it be in the home or at school,” Mrs Sharp said.

“We want our students to have a great start to the day and be ready to learn.

“Food Share allows us to provide that little bit extra to children and families in need.”

This week Foodbank Australia released a report which showed two-thirds of Australian teachers were seeing children come to school hungry, with more than one in four teachers reporting the problem was getting worse.

The report noted the teachers estimated the average student lost more than two hours a day of learning time when they came to school hungry.

cquirk@fairfaxmedia.com.au