Interview of Jennifer Birks by Freya Bennett
In a world where food insecurity is an ever-present challenge, Foodbank NSW & ACT stands as a lifeline for tens of thousands of Australians every month. We sat down with Jennifer Birks, Chief Marketing, Fundraising and Development Officer, to hear the story behind the organisation, the impact of its work, and how communities across NSW and the ACT are coming together to support families doing it tough. From its humble beginnings in 1991 to providing over 20 million meals a year today, Foodbank’s mission is simple yet powerful: to ensure no one in our community goes hungry.
Can you tell us a bit about the origins of foodbank and its mission?
Foodbank’s story in Australia actually began with one woman’s vision. Back in 1991, Jeanne Rockey AM saw a food bank in Los Angeles and thought, why couldn’t we do something like this here? She shared the idea with her close friend, philanthropist Charles Scarf, and by 1992 the very first Sydney Foodbank was established with the support of John Perrottet, St Vincent de Paul, and some incredibly generous donors like Frank Lowy, David and Colleen McIntosh, and the NSW Labor Government.
From there, we grew. In 1995 we became Foodbank NSW, and in 2014 we expanded to become Foodbank NSW & ACT. But at our heart, the mission has always been the same: to provide essential food and grocery items to people in our communities who need them.
Today, that mission means we’re able to provide over 20 million meals a year through more than 750 schools and 700 community partners. To put that into perspective, every month, around 186,000 people across NSW and the ACT receive food and grocery assistance through Foodbank. And importantly, about half of that food goes to regional and remote areas—because hunger isn’t just a city issue, it’s something families face right across the state and territory.
What does a typical day look like for your team?
A typical day for our team is wonderfully varied, because we’re involved in so many different parts of the organisation. You’ll find our Fundraising team hard at work on appeals that help generate the vital funding we need to keep everything moving. At the same time, our Marketing team is busy creating campaigns and activations that spread the word about who we are and the impact we’re making in the community.
Then there’s our Community Impact and Engagement team, who are often out on the road, working directly with our community partners and schools. They’re making sure food and grocery items are getting exactly where they need to be, meeting the needs of families right across NSW and the ACT.
And of course, we can’t forget our warehouse operations, which are running throughout the week across our 10,000 square metre site. That’s powered not just by our staff, but by the incredible volunteer groups who come through and are absolutely vital to what we do. Just last year alone, volunteers contributed more than 51,000 hours to packing, sorting, and distributing food—without them, we simply couldn’t reach as many people as we do.
So, while no two days ever look exactly the same, what ties it all together is that shared focus on making sure people doing it tough have access to the food and support they need. It’s a team effort, and every role—whether it’s behind a desk, out on the road, or on the warehouse floor—plays a part in making that happen.
What inspired you and your team to get involved with this work?
What inspires me and my team every day is the chance to make real change happen for people who need it most. I’ve spent nearly 15 years in the not‑for‑profit sector, leading fundraising and marketing teams, and in that time I’ve seen firsthand the difference that communities can make when they come together.
At Foodbank NSW & ACT, that impact is visible in everywhere — from Broken Hill to Quenbeyan, from Lismore to Mt Druitt. We see families who were at breaking point find relief, dignity, and hope because of something as simple as a food hamper.
That’s what drives us. It’s not just about providing food, it’s about restoring peace of mind for parents, giving kids the chance to thrive, and showing people that their community hasn’t forgotten them. Knowing that our work can lift that weight, even for one family, is what keeps us going.
What are some of the biggest challenges you’re facing right now?
One of the biggest challenges we’re facing right now is sourcing enough food to meet the demand. As supply chains and businesses become more efficient, there’s less surplus food available, and while that’s a positive thing for reducing waste, it does mean we’re receiving fewer donations each year. To bridge that gap, we’ve had to purchase more food ourselves, which of course requires additional funding and greater support from the community.
A really clear example of this is our Christmas Hamper program. This year, demand is higher than ever, and we’re aiming to provide an additional 10,000 hampers for families doing it tough across NSW and the ACT. To help us reach that goal, we’ve launched our very first Giving Day on September 25th. It’s a really exciting initiative because every single donation made on the day will be matched by the ALAND Foundation and a group of generous donors, so the impact of every gift is doubled.
So while the challenge is real, it’s also an opportunity for the community to come together and make a tangible difference for people who need it most.
How can the community best support your work?
The best way the community can support us right now is by getting behind our very first Giving Day on September 25. It’s such an exciting opportunity because every single donation made on the day will be doubled, thanks to the ALAND Foundation and a group of generous donors. To get involved, people can head to here.
But of course, support doesn’t stop there. People can stand with Foodbank NSW & ACT all year round. Donating to us isn’t just about food relief, it’s about giving people dignity, nutrition, and stability. It’s about making sure kids can start their day with a healthy breakfast through our School Breakfast program, so they’re ready to learn and thrive.
So, whether it’s Giving Day or any other day of the year, every contribution helps us continue our mission to fight hunger and bring hope to families across NSW and the ACT.
Could you share a story that highlights the impact of your work on individuals or families?
One story that really highlights the impact of our work is Selena’s*. Like so many families right now, she was at breaking point as the cost‑of‑living crisis pushed her deeper into hunger.
She told us, “There were nights I cried trying to pack my daughter’s lunchbox. I’d never had to think about food before. Suddenly, every item was a decision. Every dollar mattered.”
When Selena received a Foodbank hamper for herself and her two young children, Madison and Harley, she described it as a turning point. In her words, “That box lifted a weight I didn’t know I was carrying. It let me stop worrying about groceries and just be a mum again.”
And to those who make our work possible, she said, “You might think it’s small. But to someone like me, it’s everything. It’s dignity. It’s relief. It’s survival.”
Selena’s story is just one example, but it shows how something as simple as a food hamper can restore not only meals on the table, but also hope, dignity, and the chance for parents to focus on what matters most — their children.
[*Many of the struggling families visiting a Foodbank Community Partner for food have never needed help before. They often feel ashamed and embarrassed at having to ask for support. To protect their identities, names and details have been changed.]
Looking ahead, what are your hopes or goals for foodbank in the next few years?
Looking ahead, my hope is that Foodbank continues to be a steady source of support for every person who needs us across NSW and the ACT. We want to make sure families can always access essential food and groceries, while also finding ways to bring joy and dignity to moments like Christmas, no matter someone’s circumstances. At the same time, we know the cost‑of‑living crisis is placing more pressure on households than ever before, so meeting that growing demand for food relief will remain at the heart of our work. Ultimately, our goal is to ensure that Foodbank is not only a safety net in tough times, but also a reminder that communities can come together to provide hope and relief when it matters most.
