Albury-Wodonga Regional Food Share has made a public cry for funding help as the COVID-19 pandemic bites into food security for vulnerable residents.
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Board chair Simon Welsh said the organisation had "scaled up" its efforts in recent weeks as demand for food support had already increased locally.
The crisis comes hot on the heels of FoodShare's herculean efforts during the bushfires in the Upper Murray at the start of 2020.
Albury Wodonga's food centre ran at up to 40 per cent above normal volumes during that period, volunteer hours doubled and the organisation wore an extra $18,500 in costs.
Mr Welsh revealed projected funding streams from upcoming fundraisers had dried up as COVID-19 restrictions meant the cancellation of community and sports events.
He has called on the generosity of Border residents to help the organisation continue to assist the most at-risk members of the community - with desperately needed dollars.
"We've had $60,000 to $80,000 pulled out of our income stream," Mr Welsh said.
"Just as everybody helped us with donations for the bushfires, we are asking for the community's help again ... but this time we are asking for help with money.
"With social distancing restrictions and the processes we have put in place for our volunteers, it is just not viable to take mass donations of food at this time.
"Every dollar that is donated translates to $40 worth of food in someone's fridge or cupboard - this is a powerful difference people can make."
The impact of job losses, cutbacks to work hours, and those in self-isolation had already started to flow through to Food Share, according to Mr Welsh.
"There are thousands more people across the region needing food support and we will only see an increase in the numbers living with food insecurity," he said.
FoodShare is working with government on a broader response to support its vital work in the community.
"It's making sympathetic noises but we hope that flows through to a funding allocation," said Mr Welsh who added Abury-Wodonga Regional Food Share had been approached directly for food support from people having to self-isolate.
Some of that was due the fact other agencies were struggling to maintain volunteers and get food out to people who needed it, he said.
"We have revised our processes in relation to social-distancing and are looking at all contingencies."
While FoodShare is classed as an "essential service" under the CISVic (Community Information & Support Victoria) banner, Mr Welsh said he would describe it currently as an "emergency service".
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