Red Rooster food relief initiative starts in Campbelltown special school

Fast food outlet Red Rooster is marking the launch of its online delivery service by partnering with Foodbank, the largest food relief organisation in Australia, to deliver roast chickens to charities and food kitchens across the country.

Yesterday, Red Rooster kicked off this support initiative with its first delivery to Lomandra Public School in Campbelltown.

Lomandra School, established in 1998, caters for students from Year 5 to Year 12 with behavioural issues. They are preparing for life beyond school by taking part in challenging learning experiences that extend practical and academic skills, strengthen emotional intelligence and promote social responsibility.

“The Red Rooster and Foodbank initiative addresses the need that for many of our students, coming to school not having food gives them a sense that there is consistency at school,’’ said Geordie Crawford, relieving principal of Lomandra Public School.

“It also provides a focal point for them at school, offering them a congregating point.

“Not only are they having something to eat, but it does connect them to the school day through conversation.

“We have a number of students, staff, friends, students and staff from our near school, our local police that come together on days like this.

“The whole concept of Red Rooster and Foodbank supporting our school is a great opportunity to bring all those people together, and identify with the school.”

Foodbank Australia’s CEO Brianna Casey says a roast chicken is a staple for many Australians, but at the same time there are two million Australians a year who are forced to seek food assistance.

[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“The face of hunger in Australia is diverse, it’s not just who you’d think,’’ said Ms Casey following yesterday’s launch of the support initiative from Red Rooster.[/social_quote]

“It’s parents, children, students, Gen Y, the elderly, the unemployed, the underemployed, the retired, in cities, rural towns and remote areas.

“For most, the need for food assistance stems from unexpected bills or loss of work and these hot, wholesome chicken meals will go a long way to relieving some stress for families and individuals for whom adequate and nutritious food has become a luxury.

“It’s a great initiative of Red Rooster to focus on the community and how pervasive food insecurity is in Australia.

“I think it will be an eye-opener for a lot of people to know that hunger exists on their own street.”

Over the next two weeks, Red Rooster will continue to donate fresh roast chicken meals to Foodbank’s partner charities in NSW, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia.

These meals will go to a wide variety of people who seek food assistance every day.

This is part of an initiative which will see 100,000 free roast chickens being delivered to customers who use the new online ordering system.