Manager of Waminda House, Leanne Bullard and Delatite Ford dealer principal Jarred Clark are keen for the community to do its part in filling a Ford Ranger with food to be donated to those in need.
Delatite Ford and the Benalla Community Food Collective are calling on the community to help fill a Ford Ranger with non-perishable food as part of Ford’s Global Food Drive this September.
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The partnership aims to collect at least 100kg of food – and fill a new Ford Ranger Black Edition in the process – to support Benalla’s local food relief network.
Throughout September, the Ranger will serve as a mobile collection ute at Woolworths and other local businesses, making it easier for shoppers to donate non-perishable food while completing their weekly shop.
The collection schedule will be announced through Delatite Ford’s social media channels.
Donations can also be delivered throughout September to the Delatite Ford showroom at 28 Sydney Rd, Benalla.
Delatite Ford and the Benalla Community Food Collective are partnering as part of Ford’s Global Food Drive this September.
The Ranger will do more than collect donations.
Volunteers will also use it to complete the Waminda Community House’s fortnightly collection from Shepparton Foodshare — a journey volunteers would ordinarily undertake using their own vehicles.
Delatite Ford dealer principal Jarred Clark said the dealership wanted its contribution to provide practical support throughout the campaign.
“We wanted the Ranger to be more than a place to leave donations,” Mr Clark said.
“By taking it to locations around Benalla and making it available for the monthly Shepparton Foodshare collection, we can help volunteers transport essential supplies while making it easier for the community to contribute.
“Our goal is to collect at least 100kg of food and fill the Ranger.
“Every tin, packet and box donated will remain within the local food relief network and help support people in our community.”
The campaign comes as local food relief providers experience a significant increase in demand.
Figures supplied by Waminda Community House show the number of people presenting in person for food relief increased by 92 per cent between September 2025 and June 2026.
Waminda provided food relief to 2405 adults and children between July 2025 and June 2026, while attendance at its free Thursday lunches increased by 104 per cent over the same period.
Waminda manager Leeane Bullard said the support would help the Benalla Community Food Collective respond to growing pressure on local households.
“Our data clearly shows increasing demand for food relief across Benalla, reflecting the extreme financial pressure many households are experiencing,” Ms Bullard said.
“Having access to the Ranger for our fortnightly collection will provide valuable practical support for our volunteers, while the donated food will help strengthen the supply available through local food relief services.
“We’re encouraging everyone who can contribute to add a few non-perishable items to their shopping and help us support people across our community.”
The local campaign forms part of Ford’s Global Caring Month, with Ford dealers around the world joining forces to help fight hunger and support disaster relief.
More than 5000 Ford dealers globally each hope to collect 100kg of non-perishable food, combining for a target of half a million kilograms of donated goods.
In Australia, donations will be provided to FareShare or each dealer’s nominated local community organisation.
The campaign will conclude with a community barbecue at Delatite Ford on Saturday, October 3 from 9.30am to noon.
Anyone who brings a food donation will receive a free snag in bread, cooked and served from the Ford community barbecue.
Community members are encouraged to donate unopened, undamaged and in-date non-perishable items such as pasta, rice, cereal, canned vegetables, soup, canned meat, spreads, coffee, sugar, long-life milk and pet food.
Every donation, no matter how small, will help the Benalla Community Food Collective provide food to those who need it most.
