If you were struggling to put food on the table for you or your family, it’s likely that other household essentials would also be hard to come by.

July, 2022

In the face of relentless cost of living pressures and the housing crisis, more than a million people a month are currently receiving food relief through the Foodbank network. In addition to the healthy fresh fruit, vegetables and pantry staples more commonly associated with Foodbank, we are also increasingly providing period care products, shampoo, conditioner and laundry products.

Toiletries such as toothbrushes and toothpaste, make-up and moisturisers, along with baby essentials like nappies and wipes shouldn’t be a luxury – they are a basic right. For someone who has lost everything in a fire or flood, or for someone escaping family and domestic violence, these everyday items play a significant role for people rebuilding their lives.

said Foodbank Australia CEO, Brianna Casey.

Hair care

We may take items such as shampoo and conditioner for granted, but for many, these are luxury items. Unfortunately, when times get tough, and household budgets take a hit, not everyone can afford to look after their hair in the same way.  We provide food so people can eat and groceries as well, including hair care products, so everyone can meet their self-care needs. Having access to hygiene products boosts confidence, self-respect, and dignity.

Makeup

TW: physical violence/assault 
No one should have to choose between food and feeling confident. Makeup may be seen as a luxury item and not something you would think we provide to our charities, but it can make all the difference for someone wanting to look their best say for a job interview or to ask for a promotion. 
Our research shows that women struggling to afford everyday essentials are more likely than men to have experienced domestic violence in their lifetime. Makeup can be a very important tool for women wanting to hide a bruise or a scar from physical violence.  

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Skin care

Healthy skin should be possible for everyone and anyone. It affects confidence and could have a knock-on effect for someone already struggling to pay the bills. Foodbank works with partners who ensure we have a regular supply of products for our charities to offer their communities. Moisturisers, cleansers and other products are not luxury items, but essential items for many men, women, teenagers and children doing it tough.

Laundry

Having the ability to wash your clothes is essential to maintaining good hygiene, building confidence and feeling ready to face the day. Foodbank believes in the importance of having access to essential grocery items such as laundry products, no matter their background or situation. So many people take clean clothes for granted, but sadly for many, it can be out of reach.

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Dishwashing detergent

What can be a simple chore for some can often end up compounding stress for people doing it tough. Washing dishes is a must-do chore, yet when detergent runs low and the budget is hurting, it can add to the stress that just keeps building.

Nappies

Did you know babies need a change of nappy at least 10-12 times per day, and 8-10 times per day for toddlers?  

This is one key essential that families cannot drop from their budget and we’re so grateful to our national donors who ensure we have a regular supply of nappies all year round. Each year, we work with partners to ensure families have access to this essential, everyday item.

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Period care

The idea of rationing tampons or pads seems unimaginable, but it is the reality women across the country face. We believe all women deserve the ability to manage their monthly period hygienically, comfortably and with dignity. Our research shows that the majority of people who have required Foodbank’s assistance over the last two years are women (60%). 

Our goal is to alleviate some emotional strain by ensuring access to period products – crucial to a healthy, active and confident life.    

Oral care

We understand that life happens to all of us, and sometimes getting the essentials like toothbrushes and toothpaste can be challenging. Brushing your teeth regularly can help prevent expensive dental bills and other consequences of bad dental health.

Toilet paper

Many of us experienced some worry, wondering if we would find toilet paper when panic buying emptied our supermarket shelves. But unfortunately, for people doing it tough right now, it can be a daily stress of how they will afford essentials like toilet paper.

Our partners

In times of emergencies or natural disasters, and every day that people across the country need assistance, our personal, pet and household care partners are ready to help. We thank them for their ongoing work to make sure all Australians have access to the essentials.

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Beiersdorf
skincare

NIVEA

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When our communities are doing it tough, partners like NIVEA enable us to supply essential products to our charities, from moisturisers and cleansers to sunscreen and more. Self-care is so important for all of us to practice, and NIVEA’s skin and personal care products are helping us to offer exactly that for those most in need.


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Henkel
laundry liquid

Cold Power

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Henkel has been donating to Foodbank since 2018, and last year donated 66,500 kilograms of products. If someone is struggling to afford food for their family, they are probably struggling to afford other household essentials. Having clean clothes for an interview or sending your kids to school with clean uniforms gives people the dignity we all deserve. Did we mention their Cold Power laundry liquid is also helping keep power bills down?


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Johnson & Johnson
period care

Stayfree, Carefree

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Johnson & Johnson have been partnering with Foodbank for 20 years, including donations of much-needed period products, such as tampons and pads. Through these donations, Foodbank is able to give women access to safe and hygienic products, no matter what their financial situation may be. For some Australians, the idea of having to ration tampons or pads seems unimaginable. Still, it’s a reality that women across the country face. Foodbank wants all women to be able to manage their monthly period hygienically, comfortably and with dignity.


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Kimberly-Clark
nappies

Huggies

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Every year, Kimberly-Clark Australia provides a range of it’s essential products to Foodbank to help make life a little easier for families facing hardships around the country. As our largest baby care donor, Huggies provided 332,800 nappies in 2020 to ensure our charity partners have access to these essential, everyday items needed to ensure babies and toddlers and their families can thrive.


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L Oreal
makeup

Haircare, Skincare, Makeup, Suncare and Fragrance

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L’Oreal donates a range of haircare and makeup products to Foodbank, giving everyone the chance to live life with dignity and confidence. When times get tough and household budgets take a hit, not everyone can afford to look after their hair in the same way. When it comes to makeup, no one should have to choose between food and feeling confident. Foodbank and L’Oreal work together to ensure vulnerable Aussies around the country are able to meet their basic self-care needs.


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PZ Cussons
dishwashing liquid

Morning Fresh

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PZ Cussons helps Foodbank create an Australia where everyone gets to do the dishes. For many Australians, washing the dishes can be a chore. But whether we like it or not, it’s part of every happy home and one of the first household tasks we teach children. However, not every child gets the chance to learn how to wash, stack and dry the dinner plates with their parents, carers or siblings.


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The Sorbent Paper Co
toilet paper

Sorbent

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The Sorbent Paper Co. provides regular, guaranteed donations of toilet paper to Foodbank, to be distributed around the nation by our charity partners. As we have seen, nothing is scarier than the thought of going without toilet paper. Many of us experienced some worry, wondering if we will find toilet paper at the shops when panic buying emptied our supermarket shelves. But, unfortunately, for people doing it tough right now, this can be a daily stress running through their minds. In 2020, Foodbank was able to provide a whopping 1.2 million loo rolls for struggling families and individuals.


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Unilever
laundry powder

Omo

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Unilever has made a generous donation of 150,000 kgs of laundry powder this year, which we are currently packing and sending around Australia for people doing it tough. So many people take clean clothes for granted, but sadly for many others, it can be out of reach. Unilever and Foodbank believe everyone – no matter their background or situation – should have access to clean laundry, and the confidence, dignity and empowerment it brings each day.


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Every week, Australian families find themselves rationing out laundry detergent, toothpaste or shampoo, or taking them off the shopping list entirely. These are items that many can take for granted but are all part of living a life of dignity, confidence and comfort.

Foodbank believes in the importance of everyone, no matter your background or situation, being able to live a dignified life, with access to kitchen, laundry and bathroom necessities.

Help get essentials to Australians doing it tough