Major charities have teamed up to launch a food delivery service for people isolating under COVID-19 rules, as demand for food assistance soars.
Of the more than 2,000 people who reached out to a West Australian charity hotline in the past month for help, about 680 — more than a quarter — specifically asked for food.
And among the people who cannot afford to buy groceries are the hundreds of people who, having been forced to isolate due to COVID protocols, cannot leave their homes to collect them.
The spike in demand has seen two not-for-profit organisations, Foodbank WA and Anglicare WA, join forces to offer a delivery service to provide care packages for people in isolation.
With Omicron spreading in the WA community, the service providers noticed an increasing number of people were calling Anglicare WA's Emergency Relief and Food Access Service hotline.
Many were in desperate need of food, unable to afford home deliveries and unable to access food relief services.
Empty fridges
Anglicare WA's General Manager of Service Strategy, Isabell Evans, said calls had increased from about 70-80 a day, to about 100 a day.
"Demand has been massive – the vast majority of those calls are for food," she said.
"We've also seen lots of 'grand-families' calling through, so grandparents who are caring for their grandchildren.
"They are receiving a pension so they're low-income earners, some supporting six grandchildren at home.
Deliveries began last week, with recipients receiving a dry good box, fruit and vegetable box, frozen meat pack, clothing and a COVID care pack including a Rapid Antigen Test and surgical mask.
Volunteers with wheels needed
Ms Evans said the service had managed to deliver 30 food hampers a week while operating three days a week, but hoped to expand to five days.
Ms Evans said one recent case involved a woman and her children living with their grandparents.
"They're living with the grandparents because they are homeless and all have tested positive [to COVID-19] with no food left in fridge," she said.
"One grandparent is a casual worker so is not getting paid and is waiting for a Centrelink COVID payment to go through.
"The other grandparent receives a pension, but their payment is not due until next week."
Service gratefully received
Ms Evans said each delivery had been gratefully received.
"The feedback has been fantastic because these people are feeling so isolated because they've got no one around them who can deliver food and emergency supplies to them," she said.
"They're also really thankful because what we're also doing is delivering some kids activities, resources that can keep them busy whilst they're in that isolation period."
Anglicare WA CEO Mark Glasson said he expected demand for the service to grow over the coming months.
"They are choosing between eating and paying their bills, that's where the partnership with Foodbank WA has been so important."
People experiencing COVID isolation hardship should call 13 COVID (13 26843) first and select the 'Welfare' option. If eligible, they will be referred to the delivery service.
The Emergency Relief and Food Access Service can be reached on 1800 979 777.
