BOOST 4 Families is a program operated by Warilla-based charity the DENNY Foundation.

It provides nutritious fresh food parcels for clients, who pay a modest contribution fee in return. 

CEO Margaret Purcell said BOOST 4 Families, now in its seventh year, currently assists schools, as well as about 60 Illawarra families. 

Mrs Purcell said in February they were granted a contract from Illawarra Aldi stories to pick up their excess produce.

“We’ve been supporting families that are on Centrelink benefits, low income, and we’re now expanding to go into one-wage families,” Mrs Purcell said. 

“This food we’ve picked up, while it’s excellent quality, was deemed for landfill.

“We’re picking up over a tonne a week in fresh produce, and over 100kg of meat that is frozen and in date every week. We’re seeing so many families go hungry in this day and age, and people have mortgages and cars to pay… We’re giving a hand up, not a handout.”

She said they were attempting to expand BOOST to incorporate welfare agencies and more families.

They also require more volunteers to assist. 

Barrack Heights resident Adrian Simpson, 31, an unemployed single parent, has been participating for nearly two years. “This is a major help… It helps big time,” he said of his weekly shop. 

“It’s a fraction of what I’d end up spending at any of the shops. I’ve noticed that in the shops, all the fresh food is so expensive now.”