Serving our community.​

Food For Families is a great way to get together to make a tangible difference to the lives of individuals and families experiencing hardship and crisis throughout the year. Together, we can help individuals and families put a meal on the table.

Uniting Food For Families

Helping those in need for over 30 years.

Food For Families has been running for over 30 years.

It was started by the local Leader newspaper group in 1991 and ran only at Christmas. Wesley Mission Victoria then took the lead with the aim of generating more material aid to support increasing demand on services, but no increases in funding.

In 2017, Wesley Mission became part of Uniting Vic.Tas, and we’ve continued to run Food For Families under Uniting branding.

And it has gone from strength to strength.

We now collect all year round, not just at Christmas time.

The program brings local communities together to donate non-perishable food and household essential items through collections by schools, kindergartens, congregations, workplaces, community groups, individuals and families.

The food, gifts and household essentials are distributed at our emergency relief, family services and outreach centres across Victoria and Tasmania. Families can select food from our food pantry when times get tough and bills stack up. We also provide food that’s easy to prepare for people experiencing homelessness.

How it works

Donate

Non-perishable food and essential household items are donated.

Pack

Food and items packed into boxes or bags.

Collect

Donations are collected at the nearest Emergency Relief centre. Emergency Relief centre volunteers sort through donated food & items and stock the food pantries.

Support

People in crisis receive support and donated food items, thanks to you.

Get involved

Over the past four years Access Group Solutions (AGS) has donated close to 1,500 kgs of food to Uniting’s Food For Families program. Being so closely connected to their local communities, giving back has always been important to AGS.

“The program is a fantastic way to engage our people in team building exercises without them even being aware of it,” - Rebecca, Access Group Solutions

For the church, donating to Food For Families is a practical way of providing support to those experiencing crisis.

“It really is a beautiful, heart-warming program. It brings people closer together. We hope our contribution supports people in crisis when they need it most." - Alfian, St Andrew’s Gardiner Uniting Church

Success stories

Food for friends.

For most of the past 25 years, the 13 congregations have generously collected food to support their local community. ‘Food For Friends’ as they call it.

“Of all our programs, Food For Friends is the one which brings together all our churches to remember Christ’s teachings about helping others.” - Margery, Mt Waverley Uniting Church

For 17 years, Murrumbeena Primary School has been helping those in need put food on the table. Each year the school donates 25 to 30 boxes of food to Uniting’s Food For Families program which is distributed through our emergency relief centres.

“The children really get into it....The program opens the students’ eyes to helping other people, not just their own families." - Amanda, Murrumbeena Primary School

When Louise introduced the Food For Families program to her students at Buninyong Uniting Kindergarten, she never knew how widely popular it would become among families. Louise says the program has been a great way to teach her students about compassion.

“It was so popular we decided it was something we wanted to add to our program every year.” - Louise, Buninyong Uniting Kindergarten

One Christmas, Mary began collecting food because she realised that despite it being the time of year for giving, many people would still be missing out. Mary’s kind thought for others has inspired her own family.

“There are people out there doing it really tough right now. We need to band together and show our support.” - Mary

Wanting to make a contribution?

If you are looking for other ways to help, please consider making a donation so that we can purchase the items most needed to restock our pantries. Call Supporter Services on 1800 668 426 or donate online.

In the news

Over the past four years Access Group Solutions (AGS) has donated close to 1,500 kgs of food to Uniting’s Food For Families …
For the church, donating to Food For Families is a practical way of providing support to those experiencing crisis.

Food for friends.

For most of the past 25 years, the 13 congregations have generously collected food to support their local community. ‘Food For Friends’ …
For 17 years, Murrumbeena Primary School has been helping those in need put food on the table. Each year the school donates …
When Louise introduced the Food For Families program to her students at Buninyong Uniting Kindergarten, she never knew how widely popular it …
One Christmas, Mary began collecting food because she realised that despite it being the time of year for giving, many people would …
Every year the family look on Uniting’s Food For Families website, write a shopping list and do a big grocery shop. Tami …
In 2019, 73 tonnes of food and toiletries were pledged for individuals and families thanks to thousands of generous supporters like Michelle. …