Over

+ 32600

Meals Supplied
in the Last Year!

Our work starts with a quick meal to keep stomachs full, but it’s so much more than that. We’re making a tangible change in people’s lives by showing them we care, and the whole community benefits.

What is
“Household Food Insecurity”?

Almost everything is driven by local Household Food Insecurity.

Household Food Insecurity is defined by a consistent shortage of food, poor diet, fears surrounding stable access to food, lack of self-esteem and confidence as a result of unstable food provision for family, and more. Household Food Insecurity significantly affects many FTLC families. Aside from the obvious affects like hunger and malnourishment, it causes formidable anxiety, alienation, depression, as well as low self-worth and self-respect.

By consistently providing hot, healthy meals, uncertainties around food supplies are alleviated, and physical impairments due to lack of nutrition are combated. Food-related crime in Broome has been significantly reduced, and we’ve seen momentous change in the community.

Measurable, Data-Driven Results.

Reduction in Hospitalisation Rates, Broome 2011 and 2013

Middle Ear and Mastoid infections, such as Otitis Media, are a painful and serious problem for many children in the Kimberley. Due to malnourishment, their small bodies do not have the strength to naturally fight infectious diseases. Frequent infections can result in long-term hearing damage, and in some cases, permanent deafness.

Data provided by the Health Department indicates promising details regarding the FTLC Emergency Food Respite project’s effect on diseases of the Middle Ear and Mastoid. The number of hospitalisations for these conditions — which are related to symptoms of malnutrition among Indigenous children aged 1-to-9 in Broome from 2011 and 2013 — have indicated that they are significantly reduced.

Pre-intervention:

40

hospitalisations.

Post-intervention:

26

hospitalisations.

Difference:

14

hospitalisations;
a reduction of 35%.

Reduction in Burglary and Theft, Broome 2011 and 2014

Links between juvenile long-term offending and deep disadvantage (and associated non-deliberate neglect) as a result of Household Food Insecurity are evidence-based, and our measurable outcomes are statistically astounding.

As a result of food shortage and prolonged hunger, many young people turn to crime to provide food for their themselves and their families. This is almost always a last resort and not intended to be malicious — it’s an act of desperation that reflects Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.

Data provided by the WA Police Department demonstrates promising details connecting the FTLC Emergency Food Respite Project with reduced crime charge rates. The number of young people, aged 1-to-19, charged with property offences in Broome and measured from January to April in 2011 and 2014 are significantly reduced by 47%, on the nights we operate.

Increased School Attendance

We believe a good nutritious meal increases school attendance, attention, and alertness, and have numerous anecdotes from local teachers that support this.

We’re currently working towards some official research-based empirical results to show the change FTLC is making in this area.

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