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Economic Stimulus Package is not Enough to Feed the Hungry, the Exodus Foundation Said

Rev. Crews warns of a looming flood of needy people

Wednesday, 4 February 2009, 16:31 (EST)
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Despite the Rudd government’s proposed economic stimulus package, Rev. Bill Crews’s Exodus Foundation will need to raise an additional $1.5 million dollars to feed and support those impacted by the crisis.

“We’re already seeing the first signs of the downturn”, said Rev. Crews. “Every day more families are asking for food parcels, and more people are coming for food in our free restaurant”.

According to Rev. Crews these are the same early warning signs the Exodus Foundation received before the last recession.

“It’s like the first trickle from a dam that’s about to burst. And thanks to the lessons we learned from the last recession we’ve put in place the programmes to deal with the expected flood of needy people, but we need to raise an extra $1.5 million to make this happen”, said Rev. Crews.

As the economic crisis deepens Rev. Crews is expecting to feed at least 700 people a day in the Exodus Foundation free restaurant, and hand out over 800 food parcels a week. The predicted rise in unemployment will mean those who would not normally ask for assistance will. People already suffering under high rents, and those over-burdened with debt will increasingly have difficulty paying for even the basics.

The Exodus Foundation is ramping up its services – including meal supply, rental and utility assistance, medical and dental care, and financial counselling – to meet the need.

“In tough times Australians have always pulled together, so I’m calling on Sydney-siders who can help us to do so”, said Rev. Bill Crews.


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