Warrnambool’s FoodShare is breathing a sigh of relief after Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the government had reversed its decision to slash funding to Australia’s largest hunger relief organisation, Foodbank.
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Warrnambool and district FoodShare executive officer Dedy Friebe said support from Foodbank Victoria was vital and the government’s change of heart was pleasing.
“We’re ecstatic,” he said.
“We were facing pretty dire consequences at the coalface.”
Foodbank’s federal government funding was to be cut from $750,000 to $427,000 from January 1.
But Mr Morrison revealed on social media Foodbank funding would stay at $750,000 a year.
Mr Friebe said FoodShare’s board started preparing letters to local politicians, including Wannon MP Dan Tehan, when it heard of the funding cuts on Monday.
He said the letters would have explained how Foodbank cuts would diminish FoodShare’s quality of service.
Mr Friebe said FoodShare received additional food from Foodbank Victoria after the St Patrick’s Day fires in March.
He said demand exceeded supply.
FoodShare helped feed more than 220 local families in October, including about 600 children.
