Vic: Charity hopes to raise 16 tonnes of food in Xmas appeal

AAP General News (Australia)
12-04-2000
Vic: Charity hopes to raise 16 tonnes of food in Xmas appeal

MELBOURNE, Dec 4 AAP - Foodbank Australia and the ANZ bank today launched their annual
Christmas appeal, calling for food and cash donations to help Australia's needy.

Special food containers have been placed in every ANZ branch around Australia to collect
non-perishable items from the public for distribution to local charities.

"Many families don't have enough money to buy sufficient food at non-festive times
of the year," Foodbank Australia spokesman Terry O'Hearn said.

"With the added pressure of trying to buy presents for the kids, Christmas can be an
especially lean time for many Australians."

Mr O'Hearn said that if each food container was filled just once, the appeal could
raise approximately 16 tonnes of food for distribution to needy families.

The Christmas appeal runs until December 22.

Foodbank has also made an urgent call for cash donations which can be deposited at
any ANZ branch across Australia, in the special Christmas Food Appeal account.

AAP pf/clr/gmw

KEYWORD: FOODBANK

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