Alcoa partners with Foodbank WA to support Kwinana and Pinjarra families

Families in the Kwinana and Pinjarra areas that are struggling to put food on the table will get extra support thanks to Foodbank WA’s latest partnership with resources company Alcoa.

Under the partnership, families in need will receive vouchers to purchase items from Foodbank WA’s Mobile Van Service over the next six to eight months.

The Kwinana support, made possible through funding from Alcoa’s Kwinana Alumina Refinery, will be offered weekly from the Frank Konecny Community in Skottowe Parkway, Parmelia.

The Pinjarra support, made possible through funding from Alcoa’s Pinjarra Alumina Refinery, will operate from the Murray House Resource Centre in the near future.

Alcoa is also providing support to the Jarrahdale community through Foodbank WA’s emergency food hampers available to eligible families from the Serpentine-Jarrahdale Community Resource Centre and the Jarrahdale Community Collective. This support was made possible through funding from Alcoa’s Huntly Bauxite Mine.

The support is in recognition of the ongoing challenges families are facing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and changes to government support packages including the end of the rent moratorium.

Last year in the midst of the pandemic, Alcoa, through its global charity the Alcoa Foundation, partnered with Foodbank WA to provide 2,325 hampers containing 27,900 meals across the Kwinana, Peel and upper South West areas where the company operates its bauxite mines and alumina refineries.

Foodbank WA CEO Greg Hebble said “Foodbank WA was thankful for the ongoing partnership with Alcoa.”

“With JobSeeker reduced, JobKeeper and the rent moratorium finished we are seeing an increase in demand for our support,” Mr Hebble said. “Support from corporate businesses like Alcoa help us to continue to support the needs of vulnerable families.”

Foodbank’s Mobile Van Service has expanded to 22 locations. The service provides a range of food options, the most popular being fruit and vegetables along with frozen meat packs.

If you need help or know someone who does, please free-call The Emergency Relief & Food Assistance Hotline on 1800 979 777, Monday to Friday between 9.00am and 5.00pm.