Lake Macquarie food charity demand surges 210 per cent as Christmas
Demand for Lake Macquarie's NourishEd food bank has jumped 210 per cent as it hosts its first free Christmas lunch.
About 170 families access NourishEd each week. The food charity began in 2024 and has expanded fast.
Food insecurity is rising. The biggest concern families mention is paying for Christmas this year.
NourishEd will distribute up to 300 food hampers to families through local schools before Christmas. It is also hosting a free two-hour Christmas lunch at Toronto Foreshore with meats, salads, dessert and Santa for children.
Director Nic Cade said recent interest rate rises brought an entirely new group of working-class families to the charity for the first time. People with mortgages and cars are cutting food and hygiene first when money gets tight.
Some people cannot even afford fuel to reach the food bank. A major food supplier recently pulled support due to money troubles.
This leaves NourishEd more vulnerable and needing more donations.
- 210 percent in one year
- Demand surge
- About 170
- Weekly families served
- Up to 300 distributed through schools
- Christmas hampers
- 2024
- Founded
Why it mattersRising costs of living are forcing working families to seek food charity help for the first time. A crisis point is coming before Christmas.
AustraliaLake Macquarie faces a surge in food insecurity driven by mortgage stress and interest rates, a pattern likely occurring across other Australian regions.
