A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

What A Year!

After almost 9 years of tireless service, Dorothy Coombe retired as Chair of Foodbank Victoria in late 2021. Her legacy is extensive, having steered the board and CEO through periods of steady growth followed by events in recent years that saw us evolve and expand at an extraordinary pace. I’m grateful to have served on the board under Dorothy, whose warmth and empathy have shaped the way we work, and how we support our communities.

As the new Chair, I look forward to leading this incredible organisation into the future. As we deal with some of the toughest challenges in our history, the bar is being raised again.

The past year has been one of continuing challenges and for the second consecutive year, we have been tested in every aspect of what we do. But our response was swift. We changed many of the ways we deliver food. We innovated and extended our delivery models, introducing mobile supermarkets and pop-up Drive Thru services when demand rose steeply. At the heart of everything we do is our people. Every day I am reminded of the generous and committed team we have here at Foodbank, and I can’t thank everyone enough.

Our board continued to share their knowledge to shape our vision and mentor our staff. The financial generosity of our supporters, donors, and partners ensured that we could respond to the unprecedented demand. Our food donors provided millions of kilos of much needed produce.

Our courteous drivers travelled all over Victoria, often in challenging conditions. Our agency charity partners, many of whom were grounded for months, distributed over 7 million kilos of food this year. The outstanding support of teachers and schools in our School Breakfast

Club Program helped to distribute over 3 million meals to students in need, despite long periods of shut down. Our hardworking CEO Dave and the whole Foodbank team demonstrated their deep passion and commitment for what they do. They are second to none. And our incredible volunteers continued to support us, without whom we simply could not exist. Together, we’ve delivered almost 22 million meals to vulnerable communities across the state this year. We received remarkable levels of support from the community, and our corporate and philanthropic partners. Together with the ongoing support of the Victorian government, we were able to provide more food to more people than ever before. This commitment from all our supporters spurs us on to do more so that, no matter what the circumstances, no one in Victoria goes hungry.

As we look towards 2023, there’s plenty to be excited about. Building is about to start on our Community Food Centres in Ballarat and Morwell, something that’s never been done in the state. Giving people in those regions access to healthy food at no cost. Solving the issues of food insecurity hand in hand with these communities.

We’re facing the future with confidence knowing we have the strategy, people, and support to do what we’re here to do.

Feeding Victorians in need.

STEVE AUDSLEY - CHAIR

Steve Audsley Chair

Board Members

FY21-22

STEPHEN AUDSLEY - CHAIR

JULIETTE ALUSH

ROBERT BABB

AMBER COLLINS

CLAIRE HOOPER

TOM KIMPTON

TASS MOUSAFERIADIS

CATHERINE DIXON

RODNEY JACKSON