In the face of relentless cost of living pressures and the housing crisis, more than a million people a month are currently receiving food relief through the Foodbank network.
In addition to the healthy fresh fruit, vegetables and pantry staples more commonly associated with Foodbank, the food relief organisation is also increasingly providing period care products, shampoo, conditioner and laundry products.
“We’ve seen the cost of fuel, electricity and fresh fruit and vegetables skyrocket, alongside soaring rental and mortgage costs,” says Foodbank Australia CEO Brianna Casey.
“If you can’t afford food, you certainly can’t afford daily necessities like shampoo, deodorant, period care products and toilet paper. These are much more than just personal hygiene and household care products. They are vital to living a life with dignity and confidence,” she says.
Week of Care
Foodbank’s annual Week of Care shines a spotlight on the importance of these products to people doing it tough right across Australia.
Now in its second year, Foodbank’s Week of Care, which kicks off on Sunday 17 July, celebrates the support of its non-food partners and helps raise awareness of the importance of personal, oral and household care products to ensure those who are struggling have access to products that are needed in every household.
Increased demand
As the cost of living crisis escalates and communities on the east coast face the long road to recovery after yet another significant flood event, Foodbank is experiencing an increase in demand rivalling that experienced at the peak of the Covid-pandemic.
“Toiletries such as toothbrushes and toothpaste, make-up and moisturisers, along with baby essentials like nappies and wipes shouldn’t be a luxury – they are a basic right,” Ms Casey says.
“For someone who has lost everything in a fire or flood, or for someone escaping family and domestic violence, these everyday items play a significant role for people rebuilding their lives.”
Foodbank would like to thank its national donors and campaign partners, Beiersdorf Australia, GSK, Henkel, the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies in Australia, Kimberly-Clark Australia, L’Oreal Australia, P&G, PZ Cussons, Reckitt, The Sorbent Paper Company, Unilever ANZ for donating essential personal, oral and household care products year-round, as well as during times of disaster.