Trina works two retail jobs, lives in a rented studio apartment with her cattle dog Beckham, and has needed to access an Anglicare food pantry at least once a month for the past year.
She is not, technically, in crisis. But, despite working and budgeting carefully, she is consistently in need.
Over the past five years, rents have risen three times faster than wages*. As a result, the past year has seen a 25 percent increase in people accessing food relief services** like Anglicare’s.
People like Trina, who are working full time, regularly don’t have enough money left over after paying rent and essential expenses, to fill their cupboards.
Anglicare is among the 70 percent of ACT food relief organisations that support people like Trina, with no government funding.
Despite the generous donations of food and essentials that we receive from supporters like you, keeping our pantry shelves stocked is an immense challenge.
A recent survey by VolunteeringACT found that local food relief providers are spending an average of $8,672 a month on groceries— almost 50 percent more than in 2024.
Our teams remain determined to keep our doors open to all those who seek support. We are making adjustments to how we operate. Unfortunately, this may mean providing less fresh produce than previously and limiting the variety of foods and essentials.
For now, we continue to provide pet food to participants like Trina—whose animals are critical to their emotional wellbeing. We continue to provide personal hygiene products, whenever possible. And we will always offer compassion and social connection to those who come to us.
While we wait to hear details of the ACT Government’s anticipated Food Relief Action Plan and Food Bank Fund, we will continue advocating for stronger, sustainable support to meet rising demand and reduce food insecurity in our region.
If you’d like to help, visit our Pantry Appeal page or call 02 6245 7100 to learn how easy it is to organise a small food or essentials drive with friends, colleagues, or your local community group.
Or consider making a Financial donation, which allows us to purchase items most needed at any given time.
We know the challenges are significant, but so is our collective capacity to respond.
* Cotality, Housing Affordability Update, February 2025.
** VolunteeringACT, Food Relief Provider Survey, December 2025.
