HAMPERS prepared by Warrnambool Food Share have helped stop a more than a thousand people from going hungry so far this year.

The group recently opened its doors again after moving from Worn Gundidj Aboriginal Cooperative, but the hunt is now on to find a permanent home with just 10 months left on their tenure at the former Mitre 10 building on Raglan Parade

Around 15 volunteers spend 20 hours a week sifting through tonnes of food to deliver as far as Portland and Hamilton.

Surrounded by crates of produce and humming of refrigerators, coordinator Cathy Harbison said donations were needed to give Food Share a proper home and a new delivery van.

"We got these premises very generously rent free from South West TAFE," Ms Harbison said.

"One of our biggest challenges is going to be finding new permanent premises in the future - we've got less than a year to find one."

She said the board was already searching for local support to seek out a space.

In January Food Share collected 3105 kilograms of local food as well as four tonnes of fruit, vegetables eggs and frozen goods from the second bite program in Melbourne.

"We have about 30 agencies with in Warrnambool and Moyne Shire and they collect hampers we pack that are targeted for the particular needs of families," she said.

Member for South West Coast Denis Napthine urged the community to get behind the service, during a visit to the site.

"It's a great service that provides food from collected from many of our supermarkets that is good quality food," Dr Napthine said.

"It's given to the Salvation Army and churches who then pass it onto families in need so people who are suffering difficult circumstances don't go hungry."

Anyone wishing to donate or volunteer with Food Share can contact Cathy Harbison on 0428 197 715.

s.mccomish@fairfaxmedia.com.au