WA leaders cook for the vulnerable

Business leaders have been cooking to fundraise to provide 250,000 meals for people in need, with Northern Star Resources’ Hilary Macdonald leading the way.

Ms Macdonald, Northern Star Resources general counsel and company secretary, has raised $20,065 for the cause, followed by Bankwest executive general manager Sinead Taylor, who has raised $14,900 for the Meal Makers initiative.

The week-long fundraising event is in its second year, and involves 30 business leaders cooking and packaging 2,500 meals with local chefs, including Wildflower head chef Matthew Sartori.

At the time of writing (11am), the business leaders had raised $104,901, which would provide 209,803 meals, 40,197 meals short of its goal.

Foodbank WA chief executive Greg Hebble said the organisation relied on corporate and community support to ensure it had nutritious food available for its distribution centres.

He said support was even more necessary this year, as the fallout from COVID-19 had affected Western Australians financially.

“The pandemic has disrupted every aspect of our lives and an increasing number of people cannot afford to buy enough food to eat.” Mr Hebble said.

“We are expecting to see a steep rise in the number of people needing food assistance once the government stimulus and support packages end.”

Last year, Meal Makers raised $89,913.