We’re working with Bendigo Foodshare to ensure food security in times of need.

When the media, rescue workers, and helping hands all go home, communities affected by disasters must recover and rebuild, sometimes taking up to 3 years*. 

It’s why we continue to work with communities to support their longer term recovery and preparation for future disasters.  

And while there are a number of aid agencies who focus on the initial response, appeals like our disaster campaigns are created with much longer-term needs in mind. 

Thanks to donations received following the 2022 flooding in Victoria, we’ve been able to help local Bendigo charity Foodshare purchase a new refrigerated truck to help provide food to regional areas in times of need. 

Our donation of $75,000, along with $25,000 from the Australian Lions Foundation and $15,000 from the City of Greater Bendigo have contributed towards the purchase of a truck which is expected to clock up more than 60,000 kms in its first year on the road. 

Food security is an issue for many local communities affected by disaster. In the months following the 2022 floods, Foodshare experienced a huge increase in the demand for food and delivered an extra 100,000 kgs of food into affected areas.

This was only possible by borrowing an extra vehicle. The new truck means that they are now better placed to respond to the next disaster. 

The truck can carry six pallets of food, double the amount of Foodshare’s other transport vans and will provide greater efficiency for the volunteers who provide the drop-off service. 

The truck is part of the $320,000 we have distributed for flood relief and recovery. It is also a great example of how funders can come together and really make an important difference to community-led recovery.