Steve Irons (Swan, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In early December last year I launched the Swan Christmas Food Drive for Foodbank Western Australia to assist families to put food on the table over Christmas. Christmas is a special time for all of us, and I think many of us are not aware that many people don't have food to share with their loved ones over the Christmas period. In Western Australia alone, Foodbank helps feed 94,000 people per year. Over 31,000 of these are children. To aid in giving a little Christmas spirit to those in need, I put out a call for any contributions, great or small, of non-perishable food items, including canned food, dry pasta, rice, pasta sauces, long-life milk, and the like. From day 1, the good people of Swan called into the office to add to the food drive. I was overwhelmed by the positive response we received and I'd like to express my sincere gratitude for the generosity demonstrated by my constituents and local businesses.

One week before Christmas, with my wife, Cheryle, I visited the Foodbank Western Australia warehouse in my electorate to deliver 350 kilograms of donated food, which went on to provide more than 700 meals to families in need over Christmas. I'd like to thank Greg, Andrew, Janie, Jody and the team at Foodbank for showing me around the warehouse and providing further information on issues around food security right here in our own backyard. They're all doing a wonderful job, and I look forward to working with them in the future. I know they garner much support for Foodbank from other members in Western Australia. It's a great cause.