South Australians have been urged to donate much-needed food items this week, as RAA and charity Foodbank seek to address alarming hunger statistics.

The big purple van of the RAA mobile food hub will visit Victor Harbor tomorrow, Friday 27 October to collect donations for the annual community Food Drive.

Foodbank SA’s latest Hunger Report, released as part of Anti-Poverty Week, has revealed more than 255,000 South Australian households experienced food insecurity in the past year.

This is an almost 20 per cent increase on last year’s figure  of 213,000.

Of those, a record 155,000 suffered ‘severe’ food insecurity, meaning they missed multiple meals or went an entire day without food.

RAA General Manager Community & Corporate Affairs Emily Perry says volunteers from RAA and Foodbank SA have been out in force this week, collecting donations for RAA’s annual community Food Drive.

“As the state’s largest member organisation, we want to do all we can to help those in our community who need it most, which is why our ongoing partnership with Foodbank SA is so important.

“In the last financial year we helped Foodbank deliver more than 359,000 meals for those in need, and we’re hoping to do even more this year as demand increases.

“I encourage any South Aussies who are in a position to, to buy a couple of extra non-perishable food items in their weekly grocery shop for those in need.

“Food donations can also be dropped off at participating RAA Shops, and cash donations can be made on our website.”

Foodbank SA CEO Greg Pattinson says the Hunger Report also found 31 per cent of food insecure households in SA are mortgage holders, and another third were struggling due to rental increases.

“Food insecurity is a major issue facing our community, with more than one-third of South Australian households having experienced food insecurity in the last 12 months,” he says.

“The RAA and Foodbank partnership with our RAA Foodbank Mobile Food Hubs has been invaluable to supporting our mission; getting the most good food, to the most people in need, the most efficient way possible.”

South Australians can donate much-needed food items all week at participating RAA Shops.

They can also donate food or cash at the RAA Mobile Food Hub, which will be stationed at Victor Harbor Central on Friday between 8.30am and 12.30pm.

For more information visit the RAA website.