Kate O'Hara

Philanthropic support is transformational, with funding that allows charities to be innovative and bold in their service provision, providing better support to their customers.

In a state as prosperous as Western Australia, one in five households are facing days of no food and one in two households are worried about affording their full food needs.

Foodbank WA started with a simple idea: to fill empty plates and fight for change.

Kate O’Hara, Judith Barker and Ashlee Harrison all have one thing in common – they each head up an iconic not-for-profit organisation in Western Australia, making a real impact to people in WA.

Women are more likely to experience domestic violence, financial abuse and food insecurity, with many relying on the charity sector to help lift them out of vulnerable situations.

On Close the Gap Day, March 21, 2024, we highlight the work organisations are doing to push for better outcomes and recognition for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Essentials like rent and groceries cost significantly more in many remote regions compared to Perth, an issue that needs to be addressed by national and state-wide policies, according to a leading charity.

The Western Australian charity sector has welcomed cost-of-living relief and tax cuts for all households, announced in this year's Budget, but the CEOs of Anglicare WA and Foodbank WA say the government is still falling short on welfare support.

National Volunteer Week, celebrated this year on 20–26 May, highlights the important contribution volunteers make to the not-for-profit sector.

There are more people in a situation where they need to seek help to get enough food for their households as the cost-of-living crisis takes hold, with Foodbank WA experiencing unprecedented demand in its food relief services.

Good Sammy and Foodbank WA are working hard to reduce unnecessary waste, integrate operational sustainable practices, and help corporate organisations to improve their ESG practices.

The Ronald McDonald Learning Program is a tailored, fee-free, one-on-one tutoring program to help ill children catch up on missed education.

With a tightening rental market and increasing housing unaffordability, Perth is standing out as one of the toughest cities in the world to find a rental.

Anglicare's annual cost-of-living index has revealed that people living on Centrelink payments can’t afford the basic essentials to live.

Western Australia's charity sector strongly relies on support from philanthropic donations to buoy significant projects that help make lives better for people in the state.

With around 9,700 people across Western Australia experiencing homelessness, social support organisations are calling for more action to help prevent and eradicate homelessness in our state.

Anyone can find themselves in a situation that puts them at risk of homelessness if they don’t have the support to prevent disadvantage or the tools to get them out of a tough spot.

While young people can be a positive force for development, they need to be provided with the knowledge, guidance and opportunities to thrive.

Having a simple conversation with a friend, family member, coworker, or even a stranger, can not only give someone a sense of hope, belonging and connection, but can help save a life.

Western Australian charities are calling for more support from the government and corporate sectors so they can continue making a positive impact on the lives of people in need in the community.

Adopting socially responsible practices enable businesses and individuals to contribute to a sustainable future, address social issues, and foster an inclusive society.

Mental Health Week reminds everyone that mental health is just as important as physical health and encourages proactive care for a healthier, happier life.

Despite being one of Australia’s richest states, hardship is becoming more commonplace in Western Australia with rising cost of living impacting people’s ability to meet basic needs.

In WA, close to 200,000 households experienced severe food insecurity in the last 12 months. Nationally, there are two million households experiencing extreme hardship.

Low-income households are enduring the highest rates of food insecurity since the onset of the cost-of-living crisis, according to the latest Foodbank Hunger Report 2024.

Foodbank WA’s mission is to “feed, educate and advocate”, providing food relief to those who need it, and is involved in initiatives to decrease its environment footprint.

The remote regions of the Wheatbelt represent a unique and challenging landscape. Foodbank WA highlights how Western Australians living in regional parts of WA are struggling the most to get food on the table, as regional branches are experiencing an increased demand.

Good health influences how children feel and go about their daily lives, as it can affect participation in family life, schooling, social and sporting activities, according to the Australia Institute Health and Welfare.

This year brought on unprecedented financial pressure for families experiencing disadvantage or caring for a child with chronic illness or disability. There are many ways, big and small, you can help families in need this Christmas.

The selfless contribution from volunteers is vital for maintaining the wellbeing of customers and clients, supporting large community events, and helping foster the spirit of community connection.

Several years of unprecedented rising living costs have seen many families struggling to balance their budgets to support their families whether that's ensuring they have a roof over their heads, fuel in the car, or food on the table.

More Western Australians are falling into financial hardship, new data in the WACOSS 2024 Cost of Living Report reveals.

Helping children get back to school after an illness or simply ensuring every child has access to breakfast each morning are some of the ways WA’s not-for-profits are making a difference.

Although not-for-profits operate differently to the corporate sector, they still experience the same risks to business and profitability.

The state has to do better to address food stress and the growing issue of food insecurity in WA, Foodbank WA’s CEO Kate O’Hara explains.

A new movement has launched to drive action on rising poverty levels in Western Australia.

Perth is at an inflection point to redefine itself as the city eyes a population increase to 3.5 million by 2050, according to the latest Committee for Perth report.

Affordable housing and raising income support are some of the key issues WA's not-for-profit sector is calling out for in the upcoming state election.

Women, especially single mothers, older women and caregivers, are at higher risk of poverty due to systemic barriers like unpaid care work, wage inequality, and lack of financial support. 

The housing crisis, along with cost of living, are the number one issues facing families in Western Australia today.