Foodbank a lifeline for those struggling to make ends meet

It is before 9am on a Thursday. People are queuing — some sit in cars, others pace the street.

The gates open and there’s a rush.

This happens daily at Foodbank in Webberton, but Thursdays are usually the most frantic.

Samantha says she shops here “all the time”.

A single mother of two, she wants her children to have “proper, healthy food” to start the day.

“They are school kids — they need goodness. I couldn’t provide them with fruit and vegies if I didn’t come here,” she said.

With tears welling, she added: “This place has saved me, morally. It’s very uplifting.”

Susan is a grandmother. She and her husband care for two of their grandchildren.

“They go to school, we need to feed them,” she said. “We couldn’t do it if this place wasn’t here.”

Naomi shops here once a week. Her shopping trolley is overloaded.

“My partner and I have five kids — circumstances have changed and we have no job,” she said.

“The kids need food in their lunch boxes. There’s more variety here — and it’s so much cheaper.”

Nearly five tonnes of food moved out of Foodbank on Thursday.

“You should come back next week when it’s pension day. That’s when it is busy,” Foodbank manager Pat Hodges said.

“People need a reference from a support agency registered with us to shop here. It’s valid for three months.

“There are many people hurting. I’ll be hurting if we cannot feed them.”

Readers can also help the hungry of Geraldton. Today, the Guardian launches a three-month project to have enough food donated during winter to feed those down on their luck.

From tomorrow, a metal cage will sit outside the Stirling Central Shopping Centre. Please help fill it with food donations.

Alternatively, drop off food — preferably in tins — at Foodbank in Box Street, Webberton or contact Foodbank on 9964 8011 to arrange a collection.