Winter’s bite harsher than ever for many Aussies

This week our team at SecondBite announced corporate partner Coles and media partner News Corp Australia will help raise funds to support Aussies doing it extra tough this winter. 

Research interviews conducted by our team along with our charity partners in the lead up to winter have highlighted the growing layers of need across the community for food relief.

Communities across the country have been affected by bushfires, drought, COVID lockdowns and most recently devastating floods in south east Queensland and NSW. Now, interest rate rises, increases of more than 200% in energy bills and rising inflation are seeing many families and individuals at tipping point – and food is one of the first casualties.

The research highlights both a growing number of existing clients seeking food relief, but also a new cohort emerging from the current economic landscape – individuals and families who have previously been able to support themselves via personal savings or regular employment. This winter their budgets simply don’t stretch far enough to cover regular food costs, and they often come to food relief with feelings of hopelessness and shame.

For many of these Aussies, food is viewed as a dispensable cost in relation to more important costs like housing and bills. This often leads to anxiety about where their next meal might come from and can be the start of a cycle of burden and stress that has other negative flow-on effects in their lives.

SecondBite CEO Steve Clifford said, “This year we’re hearing the same message from all our warehouse teams and agencies across the country, and that is – demand is huge, we need more food. I know of one agency in Melbourne which is reporting a 20 per cent increase in families needing food relief this winter, and that is not uncommon across the sector.”

“This year’s winter appeal with Coles stores nationally is so important to help us get the funds we need to ensure no one gets turned away from receiving food relief. We can do that by providing consistent food deliveries to our agencies, and ensuring they have good quality vegetables and fruit, as well as pantry essentials to make nourishing meals for themselves and their families.”

News Corp Australia’s community ambassador Penny Fowler has been a strong supporter of SecondBite and its work for many years, having become an ambassador for the charity in 2011.

“SecondBite’s work has never been so important as now when many Australians face a daily struggle with spiralling living costs to the point they are no longer sure where their next meal is coming from or when it will be,” Mrs Fowler said.

“SecondBite has pioneered a highly innovative approach to food recovery that means a donation of just $2 can provide 10 meals to those in need.”

Australians can support the work of SecondBite by donating to the Coles & SecondBite winter appeal, commencing Wednesday 22 June until Tuesday 5 July at all supermarkets, Liquorland, Vintage Cellars and First Choice Liquor outlets nationally.