Volunteers feed the hungry

A group of volunteers took to the streets of Mandurah to help the needy during the National Homeless Persons’ Week recently.

Foodbank Peel volunteers were armed with healthy meals to feed the hungry and raise awareness of homelessness in region.

From August 1-7, national events were scheduled to help those forced to live on the streets.

Foodbank Peel manager Megan Reynolds said the hunger relief organisation strove to feed as many people as possible

“We believe that everyone should have access to fresh and healthy food,” she said.

“We are working hard to increase the amount of fresh food we distribute, including fruits and vegetables, meat and milk to complement the pantry foods that are more widely available, to improve the nutrition of those who rely on us and our charity partners for food relief.

“This is the fifth year that Foodbank has supported Homeless Persons’ Week, and this year the team of staff and volunteers served up muesli, fresh fruit, hearty soup in a cup, and a selection of bread and bread rolls to those that attended on the day.”

Foodbank sources its meals from the general public and distributes food to frontline charities that feed homeless people, single-parent families and low-income earners.

It also provides a range of nutritional education programs that support people to take better care of their own health and wellbeing.

Foodbank Peel nutritionist Nicole Ingram said the organisation recognised eating well was often a huge challenge for those who did not know where their next meal was coming from.

“We have a role to educate individuals and our community partners to make better food choices and to realise the benefits of good nutrition,” she said.

“Foodbank’s Food Sensations and Garden to Plate have been running for over three years in the Peel region, providing free nutrition and education workshops to the general public.”

To find out more about Foodbank, visit www.foodbankwa.org. au.