Over the past 12 months, we have increased our focus on assisting people to stay in their homes by easing the financial burden of putting food on the table. At a time when living costs are challenging for many people, this is a critical step in homelessness prevention.

Food relief not only reduces a person’s weekly grocery bill, importantly, collecting the meals from a community centre such as PCYC also provides access to additional support services if needed.

Dignity has distributed 54,500 food relief meals in the last 12 months, a 27% increase in meals on the previous year. Sadly, the growing demand for food relief is indicative of the growth in number of people living on the edge of homelessness.

In an effort to meet the demand, we are planning to increase the number of meals we distribute into the community considerably and we are very thankful to our Food Relief partner, Youfoodz, who are showing their commitment to Australians in need by doubling the number of meals they donate each month to 3,000 meals.

This month, Dignity was fortunate enough to receive a grant as part of the Australian Government’s 2022-2023 Volunteer Grant initiative to help us support our volunteers, who prepare home-made meals, to carry out the important work that they do.

We welcomed Federal Member for Fowler, Dai Le, to PCYC Liverpool to learn more about how food relief impacts communities in the local and surrounding areas.

We are so excited to announce our new partnership with Youfoodz! Over the last few months, this partnership has enabled us to expand our Food Relief program nationally to support more people in need than ever before.

Youfoodz meals will supplement our volunteer-made meals in times of greater need and will supply interstate Food Relief program partners monthly. The team have already generously donated over $75,000 worth of delicious, freshly made meals and we are very grateful that through this partnership we can provide more ready-meals free of charge to people in the community doing it tough.

Since establishing their partnership in August 2021, ready-made meals brand Youfoodzhas donated 1,500 healthy and hearty meals each month to Dignity, supporting their Food Relief Program which has now expanded to community centres around the country, directly assisting those at-risk of homelessness.

“We have been proud to donate over 1,500 meals a month and, to date we’ve donated over $75,000 worth, and for us that’s just the start. We’re really excited to embark on a new year, to continue to support, help grow and expand with Dignity, and help more and more Australians in need.”

Youfoodz Founder & CEO Lance Giles

In the spirit of giving, Youfoodz is using their platform to raise awareness and to encourage the community to get behind Dignity and those experiencing homlessness this Christmas and beyond.

In addition to monthly ready-made meal donations, this Christmas Youfoodz is donating $1 for every online order placed between 16th – 22nd December towards meals for Dignity, feeding those most in-need around the country.

For opening times and locations of Dignity’s Food Relief outlets, view the directory.

Dignity has expanded its Food Relief program to reach those in need in South Western Sydney, with the announcement of a partnership with the Southwest Multicultural and Community Centre (SWMACC).

Located in Minto, SWMACC is a community-based, not-for-profit organisation that delivers tailored-made community programs to the diverse communities of South West Sydney. As a result of the partnership, the centre’s services will now include food relief with homemade, frozen ready meals available to those within the community facing financial hardship. 

Dignity’s Food Relief Program was created to assist people in need and to ease the financial burden of putting food on the table. Prepared by a team of Dignity Dishes volunteers, the program diverts fresh produce, supplied by OzHarvest and Second Bite, destined for landfill to the dining tables of people who need it most.

“At Dignity, we provide a range of innovative services that empower people experiencing homelessness or at risk of experiencing homelessness. Our Food Relief program is a good example of this and partnerships with community-based organisations such as SWMACC ensures easy access to meals for vulnerable members of the community already being supported at the centret.”

Dignity CEO Suzanne Hopman

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing requirements, those in need of support should call Mal and her team to organise a suitable time for collection of meals on (02) 9603 2500 or 040 728 1245. SWMACC is located at 4 Surrey Street, Minto.

Last month, Dignity announced a similar partnership with PCYC NSW with homemade ready meals available in the Southern Highlands, Shoalhaven, Parramatta and Hornsby areas.

For opening times and locations of Dignity Food Relief outlets, view the Food Relief Directory.

PCYC NSW and Dignity collaborate to bring Dignity’s Food Relief program to several NSW clubs in regions where people are experiencing economic and housing hardship.

Dignity’s Food Relief program is available at four PCYC NSW clubs – PCYC Southern Highlands, PCYC Shoalhaven, PCYC Parramatta and PCYC Hornsby / Kur-ring-gai – and is free to those who need it.

All meals are home-cooked by volunteers and use fresh produce supplied by Oz Harvest and Second Bite that was destined for landfill.

“With 64 clubs across NSW, PCYC NSW is able to get a broad picture of how people across the state are faring. Unfortunately, we know that a lot of people are suffering at the moment. Things we can take for granted, such as a homemade meal and fresh produce, become out of reach when employment is uncertain or lost. We are fortunate to be able to give assistance where we can with the aid of Dignity. ”

PCYC NSW CEO, Dominic Teakle

For opening times and locations of Dignity Food Relief outlets, view the Food Relief Directory.