A Sutherland Shire charity is appealing for donations of food after being inundated with pleas for assistance as a result of job losses caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Orana NSW Inc is a non-profit community-based organisation based in Sutherland which runs a number of programs, including an emergency relief program for those experiencing financial hardship and a community food pantry.
But the coronavirus pandemic and resulting job losses over the past two months has led to a surge in requests for help, which has left the food pantry cupboards almost bare.
The organisation has issued a number of pleas on social media in recent weeks for pantry items after becoming "inundated with individuals and families needing food assistance".
"We are running low on our pantry items. If you have anything to spare, we would be so appreciative," a Facebook post read.
"Orana is offering emergency relief appointments for those who are experiencing a financial crisis. We can offer assistance via Woolworths essentials cards to purchase food or bill assistance ... [and] emergency relief food in the form of non-perishable food items, as well as bread donations from local bakeries and fresh meals, for those experiencing financial hardship."
Orana NSW Inc executive officer Elizabeth O'Neill said people who had never needed financial assistance before were now flooding the service.
"There has been a huge increase in demand for all emergency relief. I would say at least a 50 per cent increase, probably more, for emergency relief and demand for our food pantry is probably 70 or 80 per cent increased," she said.
And far from easing as Centrelink payments start coming through, Ms O'Neill said the situation was getting worse as people ran out of savings.
"People have used their savings, as much as they have got, and then they go looking for a service," Ms O'Neill said, adding there had been many heartbreaking cases of people with no money to buy food.
People here on visas are among the hardest hit because they cannot access any government funding.
Ms O'Neill said Orana administered the emergency relief service on behalf of Wesley Mission, but they now had a backlog for appointments of many weeks due to demand.
While they advise some clients to go directly to Wesley Mission and apply online, many are unable to because they do not have access to the internet, lack computer skills, are aged or do not have the necessary language skills.
"If we were not referring them to the online the waiting list would be months, not weeks," she said.
Ms O'Neill said referrals were coming from various places, including energy providers.
"They may ring us or one thing but you find they have other needs," she said.
They offer Woolworths essentials card so they can buy groceries or a hamper from the food pantry. While these were normally supplied once only, demand is such that people can apply for a weekly hamper.
"[Food] has just been walking out the door," she said. "As soon as it comes in it is gone," she said, adding they cannot keep up with demand at the moment.
"We have probably got enough for about two weeks and that is it," she said.
While food hampers were normally supplied as one-off items, demand is such that people can now apply for a weekly hamper.
The organisation has also been distributing meals made by Govinda Valley's Heart & Soul Kitchen at Otford and Sutherland Shire Council's Sutherland Entertainment Centre staff.
The organisation needs urgent donations of long-life milk, tea, coffee and sugar, cereal, two-minute noodles, savoury biscuits, sweet biscuits, muesli bars, rice, pasta, pasta sauce, tinned tuna, chicken and ham, tinned vegetables, long-life meals, peanut, butter, honey, jam and other spreads, sandwich bags and kids lunchbox items.
Donations must be left at Orana, 3a Stapleton Avenue, Sutherland, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 2pm.
Those requiring emergency financial or food relief can phone Orana on 9521 8280 to make an appointment.
