The Give Where You Live Foundation’s Feed Geelong Appeal launched this week, calling on the community to help address the increasing need for food relief across the region.
MasterChef’s Simon Toohey is once again an ambassador for the event, encouraging the community to support the Feed Geelong Appeal.
He will appear at The Paddock in Leopold on Sunday, October 22 as part of the appeal’s fundraiser event, which will include entertainment as well as a range of local arts, crafts, plants and produce for sale.
“Coming to Geelong post covid my partner and I have straight away fallen in love with the place,” Mr Toohey said.
“I was lucky enough to meet the team behind the Feed Geelong Appeal and loved everything they were about. In turn I put my hand up to play a part in the 2022 appeal to make sure no one in the community goes hungry.
“Not only are people going hungry, but there is a severe lack of nutrition and knowledge behind food. With this I want to make sure not only are people not going hungry, but that they are eating healthily, and their food is nutritious.”
An estimated 717,000 meals are provided by the food assistance system in Geelong every year.
Give Where You Live released its latest Food For Thought research report this week, which explores the sector’s challenges in the G21 region.
Chief executive Bill Mithen said the findings in Give Where You Live’s report highlight the importance of the Feed Geelong Appeal.
“The foundation’s latest Food for Thought reveals that demand for food relief services in the G21 region has surged and is expected to continue rising,” he said
“Now more than ever, we need the people of Geelong to come together to raise funds for the Feed Geelong Appeal.”
The report shows 90 per cent of Geelong food relief agencies have experienced service demand growth over the past year, with 63 per cent reporting client needs have become more complex.
“We’re encouraging the community to get behind this year’s Feed Geelong Appeal as whatever you give will help us to fight hunger in our community,” Mr Mithen said.
Visit feedgeelong.com.au to make a donation or get involved.
