“The need has grown incredibly; definitely this year,” says Foodcare Orange volunteer coordinator Anne Hopwood.

It has now been 10 years since a group of local agencies got together to form the food relief charity FoodCare, which provides those experiencing financial hardship with a range of fresh and frozen foods, and household items for free or at a discounted rate.

Operating first out of the Glenroi Community Centre, FoodCare was able to relocate to its own premises in March Street in 2019, where they have set up a small “supermarket” where people can shop for what they need and help their budget go further.

But as anyone shopping for groceries recently would know, prices of numerous basic goods have skyrocketed and it is really putting pressure on local families, says Anne.

“We are just seeing more people coming and saying they're doing it hard, they haven't got much money… You don't get much for ten dollars now, so it's all much harder for people,” she says.

Previously open for four shopping sessions a week — on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday mornings and Thursday afternoons — FoodCare Orange is now opening Friday mornings to make sure those that need it can purchase food and household basics to get by.

“As I said, our numbers have just skyrocketed recently,” says Anne. “In a week, we would probably have 150 to 160 people, and that's only within nine hours [that FoodCare is open] that they're coming through.”

Those shopping at FoodCare must spend a minimum of eight dollars, but then on top of their purchases, they can get free bread and free fresh vegetables.

“Veggies are so expensive, so that's our way of helping people more and we were only able to do that because of the amount of financial donations people have given us over the last year,” Anne explains.

“Shopping at FoodCare — We've done the sums and it's really just about half of what you would do in a supermarket. Of course, you can't get everything here, but what we like to think is that you can get the basics and enough for a couple of meals.”

To stock their store, FoodCare makes regular orders of goods and groceries through the national hunger relief charity Foodbank Australia. They also purchase meat, milk and eggs locally, but much of what’s on their shelves comes through generous donations from locals.

When speaking with Orange City Life last week, FoodCare received a donation from Courallie Park Preschool, who had organised a food drive while teaching their children about the Islamic observance of Ramadan and the principle of Sadaqah, of “voluntary charity”.

“We did this over one month because Ramadan goes for 30 days, and our children just put in something every week, so it was really good,” says educator Louise Delarue.

Courallie Parks, Louise says, is now speaking with FoodCare Orange to see how they can help more in the future.

“It’s a very generous community. Christmas time is really fantastic, people just come in and hand us a check,” says Anne.

“Plus home gardeners grow veggies and when they've got a bit of a glut they'll come in and say have some tomatoes or zucchinis or whatever and we would love to expand that side and get more people actually growing veggies for us.”

But now, more than ever, Anne says they could really use a little extra if people can spare it.

“If somebody wants to help us, we'd appreciate a bag of groceries, or if you're a big gardener, we'd love your produce…any fruit and veggies are just fantastic,” she says.

FoodCare Orange, 142 March Street, is now open every Tuesday to Friday morning from 10.30am to 1pm and Thursday afternoons from 4.30pm to 6pm.

To find out more, volunteer, or make a donation, contact FoodCare Orange by calling 0447577884, emailing info@foodcareorange.org.au, or visiting www.foodcare.org.au