Helpful resources for your collection.

Food For Families is a great way to get together to make a tangible difference to the lives of individuals and families experiencing hardship throughout the year. Our helpful resources are designed to assist you to make the most of your collection.

Food For Families

Get the best out of your collection.

Make your collection count:
Spread the word:
Fun ideas:

If you would specifically like to donate food but cannot reach one of our drop off points, you may wish to do an online supermarket order. Before doing this, please call your nearest drop off point to discuss the most needed items and best time for delivery to occur.

Alternatively, you can purchase and send a supermarket (IGA, Coles or Woolworths) gift card for Uniting’s Emergency Relief team to do the shopping for you.

Promotional resources

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Food For Families?

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.

Food For Families is a program to collect food and other essential items for families and individuals in crisis.

Food For Families has been running for over 30 years. Getting involved is a great way to get people together and give back to the community.

All food, gifts and household essentials donated go directly to people in crisis who access our pantries at our Emergency Relief centres across Victoria and Tasmania. Families can select food from our food pantries when times get tough and bills stack up. We also provide food that’s easy to prepare to people who are experiencing homeless.

Providing material aid isn’t all we offer, people and families can access a range of other supports such as financial counselling, no-interest loans, case management, housing support and family violence services.

Learn more about Uniting’s services.

1. Register to join our Food For Families team and donate food and essential items all year round

2. Make a monetary donation to directly support people experiencing vulnerability and needing access to food. Our services can purchase and distribute the most needed items on your behalf

3. Help stock our pantries throughout the year by becoming a regular supporter by donating a monthly gift. $30  a month – just $1 a day – allows us to provide a shopping bag of groceries to families in crisis.

We need donations of non-perishable items, personal hygiene and household essentials. Examples include:

  • Pasta, rice and noodles
  • Flour, polenta and couscous
  • Tinned tomatoes, pasta sauces
  • Beans, chickpeas and lentils
  • Tinned tuna, salmon and ham
  • Soups, curries and tinned vegetables
  • Baby food, nappies and formula
  • Spreads – e.g. jam, Vegemite
  • Long life milk and cheese
  • Tea, coffee, Milo and sugar
  • Stir fry sauces and soy sauce
  • Coconut milk and coconut cream
  • Breakfast cereal and muesli bars
  • Toothpaste and toothbrushes
  • Shampoo, conditioner and soap.

We can’t accept:

  • Donations of perishable food like frozen meals
  • Food that is past or close to its use by date (i.e. within three months)
  • Opened jars or other partially used food.

If you receive donations of fresh, open, or out-of date food, we ask that you dispose of them responsibly before passing your collection on to us.

Yes, we accept gifts, and they are extremely appreciated by the families that we support. Families greatly appreciate gift vouchers for stores like JB Hi-Fi, EB Games, so parents can choose what they give their children.

  • Share amongst your friends, family and colleagues
  • Organise an office competition where everyone donates food
  • Ask people to bring packaged food to your party instead of gifts or party food
  • Hold an event (e.g. bowling, trivia, games etc. night) and everyone donates $10, then go shopping or gather together and shop online
  • Hold a street party – get to know your neighbours; one box per household? Bring a bag each?

You can find tips and other helpful resources here.

We have a number of resources to help you promote your Food For Families collection, including posters and a suggested shopping list.

Don’t forget social media. Please use Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn as much as you can to showcase your Food For Families collection and ideas, and add #FoodForFamilies.

Find your nearest drop off point and drop off your collection within open hours.

Metro businesses or schools – If you have a large donation and can’t get to a drop-off point, please contact us for assistance.

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 1800 668 426

We understand that not everyone can afford to donate to others. We’re sorry to hear about your situation. AskIzzy has the most comprehensive list of emergency relief services across Australia.

To donate or become a regular supporter of Food For Families, visit our donations page. You can also call us on 1800 668 426 or email [email protected] if you wish to hold an event to raise money.

Call us on 1800 668 426 or email [email protected] and we can send you more or just make sure you add your own label with your participant ID onto any boxes/bags you return.

Please contact us and we will assist.

Phone 1800 668 426 or email [email protected].

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.

News

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