Foodbank to Significantly Improve Food Accessibility Thanks to Keno’s Donation

Keno’s donation will enable Foodbank to launch a full-time food van and new employee to service the ACT and provide quicker access to essential grocery items that the community needs.

Foodbank is Australia’s largest not-for-profit, food relief organisation, committed to making food accessible to people in every corner of our nation.

There is a shortage of food relief services across the ACT and last year Foodbank provided 587,000 meals to the region’s residents, which only met 28 per cent of the demand.

Foodbank NSW/ACT CEO John Robertson said he is elated and thankful for this donation and emphasised the positive impact it is going to instantly have.

“We are so grateful to Keno and this donation means we are going to be able to get more food where it’s needed most, which is directly in line with our mission,” he said.

“I am really excited for the opportunities this affords us and for the chance to help the Canberra community.

“Without this Keno donation, we wouldn’t be able to get food where it's needed.”

Keno General Manager Licensed Venue Operations Paul Malek said Keno was passionate about supporting the Australian community. 

“Keno is enjoyed by Australians in clubs, pubs, and hotels across the eastern seaboard and in communities both big and small.

“We know the profound impact these types of partnerships can have. Keno is proud to make this donation today to such a great organisation.

Head of ESG Hans de Koning said the partnership with Foodbank NSW and ACT and Keno will continue much-needed support across Keno communities.

“We want to play our part by supporting the communities which we operate in. Foodbank’s work is so important to communities in the ACT region. We couldn’t be prouder to begin this journey with such an amazing charity.”

“We are so grateful to Keno and this donation means we are going to be able to get more food where it’s needed most.”

About Foodbank NSW/ACT

Over 763,000 households in NSW & ACT went hungry in the last 12 months due to lack of funds, sometimes skipping meals or going whole days without eating.

Foodbank is Australia’s largest food relief organisation. They believe everyone should have access to the food they need, so they’re here for everyday Australians who are going without.

The organisation exists to source food and make it accessible to those who need it via three crucial steps — sourcing it, supplying it, and transporting it, making food accessible to all.

In NSW & ACT, Foodbank works with over 700 community partners and 600 schools to get millions of meals to those who could use a hand.

Support from Foodbank not only addresses people’s immediate nutritional needs, but also contributes to:

• Improvements in health
• Emotional wellbeing
• Sense of self-worth
• Social relationships
• Standard of living.

The organisation also plays a key role in improving waste reduction. In 2020, their grocery and rescue operations saved 91 million kilograms of C02 emissions.

You can find our more here.

Foodbank in the ACT

The ACT is experiencing a shortage of food relief services in the local community.

Currently, Foodbank NSW & ACT has 24 active community partners running local food pantries in the ACT. Last year, they provided 587,000 meals into the ACT, which only met 28 per cent of the growing need. 

Data from Foodbank NSW & ACT shows that demand for food relief in the ACT has increased significantly in the last year. The organisation now sends 40 per cent more food to people going hungry — the biggest increase of anywhere across NSW and the ACT. 

Cost of living is the most common reason why a person or household becomes food insecure and why it can be more difficult to access affordable, healthy food in the ACT.

Local food relief pantries in the ACT, set up and run by local charities on the ground, with food supplied by Foodbank, are experiencing an increase in demand and new users accessing food assistance.

Foodbank’s partners have told them they rely heavily on the produce and groceries they receive from Foodbank.

Double income families with a mortgage are reportedly now accessing food relief, citing increased interest rates, fuel prices and grocery prices as the reason.