Eastern Goldfields College donates much-needed Easter baskets to Kalgoorlie Foodbank as relief demand soars

Staff at a Kalgoorlie-Boulder school have dug deep to donate much-needed Easter baskets to the local branch of a national hunger relief charity.

In February Foodbank WA provided relief to 2178 households in Kalgoorlie-Boulder but this month that figure had already surpassed 2400 before Easter — typically one of the busiest weeks of the year.

Foodbank WA executive Kate O’Hara said 388,000 households were facing hunger in the State, with regional areas having it especially tough.

“Empty plates shouldn’t be an Easter tradition — but one in 10 West Australian children will go to bed hungry this weekend,” Ms O’Hara said.

“Every year, bellies rumble louder around Easter but with the cost-of-living crisis hitting families hard, more people need our support than ever before.”

Ms O’Hara said donations were “crucial” to help put food on the table, ease stress and bring hope to families struggling.

“The reality is that we cannot do this alone. Over the last two years, we’ve seen a 47 per cent increase in demand for food relief but only a 27 per cent increase in donations,” she said.

“When you donate, you help us fill hampers for folks like those in Kalgoorlie. These donations are a lifeline, ensuring families don’t have to choose between rent and a decent meal.”

Ms O’Hara extended her thanks to those who donated essentials to help give people the dignity of choice.

Staff at Eastern Goldfields College have donated four Easter hampers as a part of their annual Easter fundraiser before the school goes into the holidays.

Deputy principal Pippa Baxter said she believed it was important to give back to the community.

“It is wonderful staff have done their part to reduce food insecurity in the community by filling these baskets and donating them to such a worthy cause,” Ms Baxter said.

“I’m incredibly proud of our staff and I think it’s really important that we all have our moral radar and ... help those less fortunate than ourselves.”

Kalgoorlie Foodbank manager Mellany Kennedy has worked at the branch for almost two years and said she had seen the demand almost double in that time.

“Any sort of donation big or small — we’re happy to take — so search your cupboards and bring in what you can,” Ms Kennedy said.

“It means a lot to people to have this service, it means they can afford to get by living.

“And if you’re a first-timer using the service come on in, don’t be shy, there’s no judgment here, we accept everybody.”

Those in need can get a referral to use the Foodbank WA service from local registered agencies such as the Salvation Army, Centercare, Goldfields Women’s Refuge and Church of Christ.