Moira FoodShare co-ordinator James Rouel said the dramatic increase in people seeking support was “very scary”.
“I’ve been in the role for four years, and we were averaging around 800 to 900 people a month. Now it’s consistently more than 4000, and sometimes even 5000,” he said.
“When you break that down across the LGAs that we support, it’s about 10 to 12 per cent of the population accessing food relief every single month.
“That’s one in 10 people relying on Moira FoodShare to get by, which is very scary.”
Mr Rouel said he believed the rising cost of living, combined with the impact of recent natural disasters, had driven the demand to unprecedented levels.
“Inflation and interest rates over the course of the four years, the floods through Barmah and the fires in Yarroweyah have contributed to the increase,” he said.
“A lot of people that are working full-time and are doing everything that would be expected of them, still can’t make ends meet ... it really doesn’t discriminate, people from every walk of life are needing help.”
During the 2025-26 financial year, Moira FoodShare recorded 18,471 service contacts, providing assistance to 48,615 people across the region, including 37,898 adults and 10,717 children.
Despite the growing demand, Mr Rouel said he was “incredibly proud” of the organisation’s volunteers and everything they had achieved.
“We ask more of you than many other food relief organisations, but your contribution allows us to keep directing our funding to where it is needed most. Food, transport and support for our communities,” he said.
With the growing demand, Moira FoodShare is seeking more volunteers to fill roles working in the shopfront, warehouse and as drivers.
“The shopfront role is on the front line, where you would be handing food out and talking to people who come in,” Mr Rouel said.
“Warehouse volunteers sort and organise the food, while the drivers deliver the food to different families.”
Mr Rouel said increasing demand had also meant introducing limits on how often people could access food relief.
“We now have to ask people to come only once a week and take one of each item, simply so there’s enough to go around,” he said.
Mr Rouel said volunteer opportunities were available across the shire, with every contribution, no matter how small, making a difference.
“Many hands make light work. I’m the only paid employee here, so the whole operation depends on volunteers,” he said.
“They do an amazing job, and we’re incredibly grateful for the ongoing support of our community. We rely on donations, goodwill and our volunteers to continue helping those who need it most.”
If you are interested in volunteering, visit: mhacare.org.au/volunteer/
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