Help is on the way for families in the Yanchep area struggling to put food on the table, with Mobile Foodbank set to begin servicing the area from Tuesday 24th of August.

There is an exceptionally high need for food relief in Yanchep and surrounding suburbs and a lack of services extending beyond Joondalup.

Foodbank WA worked closely with The Wanneroo Council and Uniting WA to source a site for the new service. Yanchep Men’s Shed kindly offered their facility, with the Mobile Foodbank truck now set to distribute food hampers from its Bracknell Street carpark every Tuesday.

Amanda Hunt, CEO of Uniting WA, said a significant number of people in Yanchep and surrounding areas are living under food stress.

“With the government’s Covid support removed, pressure on working families has never been greater.”

“Evidence tells us that place-based solutions work,” said Ms Hunt. “We’re proud of the work our team has done with Foodbank WA to facilitate a solution that will meet the specific needs of the local community.”

Foodbank WA Acting CEO, Fran Ferreira, said Foodbank WA was thankful organisations like the Yanchep Men’s shed and Uniting WA were there to help extend the reach of Mobile Foodbank.

“According to last year’s Hunger Report, 61% of food insecure Australians have accessed food relief since the start of the pandemic. That remaining 40% who are going without is really concerning,” Ms Ferreira said.

“Struggling families often don’t have the means to travel to our Centre for Hunger Relief at Perth Airport, so it’s vital we get the food to where it’s needed.”

Mobile Foodbank has expanded its reach over winter, adding four new locations in the Joondalup/Heathridge area. The service provides a range of food options, the most popular being frozen meat packs and fruit & vegetable bags.

Malcolm Gow, Manager of the Men’s Shed Yanchep said, “Foodbank are doing a wonderful job, we are delighted that we can help, and with the blokes talking to friends in need, it looks as though we will have some regular customers for you”

Mobile Foodbank will be at Yanchep Men’s Shed Tuesdays 9.30am–10.30am, starting August 24th.

A referral from a charity is required in order to receive food hampers. 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 9-5.