Bendigo foodbank surges past target to deliver 17,000 winter meals
Bendigo Foodshare collected 8,346 kilograms of food. This exceeded its 5,000kg target. It will enable 17,000 additional meals.
The Bendigo community supported its winter food drive despite widespread financial stress. Foodshare staff hoped to collect 5,000 kilograms over five weeks.
Bendigo Foodshare ended with 8,346 kilograms. Chief executive Michelle Murphy said families face extra winter pressure from heating costs and fuel.
She was uncertain some people would give. But donors came through with small gifts and bulk contributions.
Bendigo Toyota alone donated 2,225 kilograms, including a full pallet of rice plus staff donations. Marketing manager Gabrielle Richards coordinated pop-up donation stations at Woolworths.
Some people donated one item. Others brought entire grocery bags for Bendigo Foodshare.
At 500 grams per meal, the total will deliver about 17,000 additional meals across central Victoria.
Why it mattersShows how community generosity protects vulnerable families through winter when costs bite hardest.
AustraliaBendigo and central Victoria residents facing hardship will receive more emergency food support during cold months.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 1 d ago
