By Andrew Rasch
Published: Wednesday, October 18, 2023
The surge in living costs is hitting hard, and many South Australians are struggling to put food on the table.
With kids going to school hungry and families having to choose between paying for food or bills, now’s the time to pull together and do what we can to help. This year, you can help by donating to RAA and Foodbank’s annual food drive.
RAA and Foodbank SA
RAA’s partnership with Foodbank significantly reduces hunger across the state by providing food relief to more than 135,000 South Australians each month.
From 23 October, RAA and Foodbank will again join forces for the third annual food drive, with an aim to raise 30,000 meals.
Foodbank CEO Greg Pattinson says the rising cost of living has affected already struggling families.
“There is a growing need, and the support of RAA and the community is more important now than ever before,” Greg says. “The RAA Foodbank Food Drive will once again help us to raise much-needed food and funds to support families that would otherwise go without.”
Donate instore and online
From 16–30 October, you can visit selected metropolitan and regional RAA stores and look for the purple donation bins, where you can drop off non-perishable food items.
Foodbank also welcomes direct donations of in-date pantry items, personal hygiene and household products, and money. Visit the Foodbank website to find out where you can donate or donate online. For every dollar donated, two meals are provided to a South Australian who would otherwise go hungry.
Donate to our Mobile Food Hub
RAA and Foodbank also have two refrigerated Mobile Food Hubs, which are grocery stores on wheels, providing free and discounted food to struggling South Australians. These hubs collect thousands of donations and deliver more than 30,000 meals each month.
During the food drive, our yellow and purple Mobile Food Hubs will be at locations around Adelaide, collecting food and funds. You can get a few extra items when you shop and help stock the van before it heads out to communities in need. Click here to see when they’ll be near you.
Anti-Poverty Week
This year, the food drive will coincide with Anti-Poverty Week, which is held from 15–27 October. There are about 75,000 children, mostly school-aged, living in the poorest of households, and many go to school hungry or miss school altogether because they don’t have food to keep them going throughout the day. This lack of food can lead to poor educational outcomes and lifelong negative repercussions.
In October, you can give back and help fight poverty to make sure South Australian families can afford basics and keep a roof over their heads. Attend a registered event or start your own to raise money for those in need. Visit the Anti-Poverty Week website for more information.
Please help those in need
The RAA and Foodbank Food Drive is a key way you can help South Australians experiencing food poverty, so if you can spare some non-perishable food or money, please donate generously.
Your kind donation will help fill a hungry tummy – now there’s something to make you feel warm inside.