Businesses, groups and neighbourhoods encouraged to host own food drives by Foodbank Albany in lieu of Can-Do

The community is once again being asked to give what they can to Foodbank Albany to support those struggling to make ends meet this holiday season.

Following a significant decline in donations during last year’s Can-Do drive, the organisation is asking businesses and groups to take the initiative over the coming month to carry out their own collections.

The 2022 drive collected less than a quarter of the targeted donation, which Albany Foodbank manager Rod Pfeiffer described at the time as “not quite the result we had hoped for”.

He said this year’s decision not to run the Can-Do drive in the lead-up to Christmas had been difficult, but that there were other ways to donate.

“In lieu of that, we’re encouraging businesses to hold their own collection drives and even local streets to come together to hold their own collection,” he said.

“If they gather whatever you can into a collection, then donate to Foodbank it is all greatly appreciated, especially at this time of year.”

Woolworths stores in Albany are collection point for donations which are delivered daily to Foodbank’s Cockburn Road facility.

Woolworths Dog Rock assistant manager Mark Attwood said the store was proud to support the community through the partnership.

Customers are encouraged to make donations at their closest Woolworths stores wherever they do their shopping.

“It’s not getting any quieter and demand is definitely big leading up to Christmas,” Mr Pfeiffer said.

“We’re just calling on everyone to help out as much as they can.

“If you’re shopping buy an extra can and throw it into the donation trolley, and that will all make its way straight to Foodbank.”