Foodbank Geraldton demand jumps by 60 per cent as customers struggle with cost-of-living crisis

The cost-of-living crisis is continuing to hit Geraldton households and families hard, with the local Foodbank service reporting a 60 per cent surge in demand. Foodbank Geraldton is on track to provide more than the 737,692 meals handed out last year to vulnerable families as regional branches deal with an overwhelming number of customers experiencing financial hardship. In the first quarter of 2023, the local Foodbank has experienced an almost 60 per cent rise in demand compared to the same period last year. According to Foodbank WA, stores across the State have recorded a 90 per cent growth in demand in three years as people from new socio-demographics reach out for assistance. In February, 732,913 meals were distributed across WA stores, resulting in a 54 per cent increase compared with February last year. Foodbank Geraldton manager Jamie O’Brien said foot traffic had increased from 85 people on average per day in January to 105 people in March. The store is issuing about 10 more tonnes of food per month compared to January. Mr O’Brien said he estimated about 10 regular customer who he knew of have lived out of cars or tents for a period of time. “We noticed one man was coming in two or three days a week and he wasn’t buying a whole lot of food. We had a bit of a chat to him and asked ‘what’s the story’ and he and his two very small kids were living in a tent next to the river,” he said. Mr O’Brien said there was a significant need for food relief in regional towns and the problem was only going to worsen before it improved. “It’s your rent prices, your fuel prices, your food prices, and now mortgage increases. People are trying to tough it out and hope things will improve but they haven’t and there’s nothing on the horizon to show that they will,” he said. “I can’t see a turnaround quickly, I think we’re looking at possibly easy another 12 months of similar situation, if not longer.” Foodbank Geraldton customer Tim said he was grateful for the service and looked forward to shopping with Foodbank. “We get picked up by our support worker Irene and come out as a family. It’s making life much more comfortable, taking the pressures away,” he said. “I enjoy the food, and we get really excited about what we are going to find each week. We are so blessed and grateful that Foodbank is here.”