Ensuring South Australians have food on the table and cost-of-living support during the COVID-19 pandemic is the focus of a $1 million State Government funding boost targeted at helping those most in need.

The million-dollar boost, committed in this year’s State Budget as part of a $4.1 million package to support vulnerable South Australians during the pandemic, will help an estimated 1250 families per month.

The $1 million boost to help vulnerable South Australians includes:

• $150,000 to Foodbank
• $100,000 to OzHarvest
• $100,000 to SecondBite
• $650,000 provided to charities through the Emergency Financial Relief Program so they can support South Australians through measures including food, chemist and transport vouchers, as well as support with cost-of-living pressures like bills.

Many South Australians are doing it tough right now, with the COVID-19 pandemic further increasing demand for food relief and cost of living support. This is why an additional $1 million has been provided to offer immediate relief to South Australians who need help over the coming months. Most of the support will be in the form of food vouchers and hampers, but this $1 million boost will also offer South Australians vouchers for transport or the chemist, plus other cost of living pressures like bills and will be delivered through a number of NGOs state-wide.

This $1 million boost is in addition to the $1.6 million provided earlier this year to support South Australians, as well as food relief organisations, during the COVID-19 pandemic.