City of Sydney calls for food donations

The City of Sydney is asking the local community to dig deep and help OzHarvest continue to supply emergency food relief to vulnerable communities through the Covid-19 crisis.

OzHarvest has opened a new supermarket in Sydney’s Waterloo Estate, which will provide hampers, groceries and other essential items based on a “take what you need; give if you can” philosophy. The supermarket was made possible following a $1 million City of Sydney grant and a long-term lease agreement with the NSW Land and Housing Corporation. 

Lord Mayor Clover Moore says that during the pandemic, OzHarvest’s volumes of rescued food had fluctuated dramatically, forcing the organisation to purchase food for the first time in 16 years to help meet the increased demand. 

The Lord Mayor says while this was a tough financial time for many, any donation would be greatly appreciated to help OzHarvest continue their good work in the local community.

“For vulnerable communities, the COVID-19 crisis has made accessing affordable, nutritious food even harder than usual, and the looming economic crisis has created even greater need for food services to prevent people from going hungry,” she says.

“No one should be worried about having enough to eat, so we look forward to seeing the OzHarvest Waterloo supermarket helping people during this challenging time.” 

Working with OzHarvest and 60 community organisations, as well as the City’s own Meals on Wheels program, the City has been delivering over 20,000 meals and 1500 staples bags a week across the local government area.

OzHarvest Founder and CEO Ronni Kahn AO says the fundraising appeal, alongside the City’s $1 million donation, will help OzHarvest continue to provide emergency food relief services in addition to its food rescue operations.

“COVID-19 has impacted communities in a way we’ve never seen before,” she says. “There are so many new people turning to food relief services for the first time in their lives.”

The partnership with the City of Sydney has enabled OzHarvest to expand its food rescue operations and ensure the organisation can meet the increasing demand for food relief.

“But this problem is not going away,” Kahn says. “Support is needed to keep our wheels turning and make sure we continue to get food to those who need it most.” 

Keen to help support this vital service? Donations to the City of Sydney/OzHarvest Food Relief Appeal can be made online at feedsydney.com 

Outside of Sydney? You can still assist those who are struggling. Go to ozharvest.org.au and foodbank.org.au to find out how you can help with the COVID-19 hunger crisis.