Lakes Entrance Neighbourhood House Foodbank service could be seen as an indicator of how people in the community are coping with the rise in the cost of living and what they are reporting is a concern.
Coordinator, Gail Webster, reports their Foodbank on Wednesdays is seeing many new faces.
“Since November last year we have been getting at least five new clients each week,” Gail said.
“These clients could be single people, a couple or families, so that doesn’t mean five people but could be anything up to 20 or 30 extras.
“We have seen an across the board increase, but the most noticeable are the over 65s. We see, on average, 60 plus on a Wednesday, but collectively that could mean 100 mouths to feed.
“Rents have gone up, interest rates, groceries seem to be increasing in price every week at the supermarket, electricity.”
Gail reminded their service is not a funded group, they rely on local community groups, local residents and businesses for donations.
All that give their time on a Wednesday are volunteers.
“We are happy for any donations, we will take anything that is non perishable,” Gail said.
IMAGE: Manager of Lakes Entrance Neighbourhood House Gail Webster with her band of volunteers on the day, Mary-Anne Lynn, Helen Pryjmak, Brenda O’Donnell and Lyn Carter.
