An army of volunteers from Babcock Australasia’s (Babcock) shipyard operations at Henderson, Western Australia will swap their tools for butter knives this week in support of a new social investment partnership with food security charity, Eat Up.
Eat Up provides free, healthy lunches to disadvantaged school students across Australia, helping to ensure vulnerable children have daily access to a nutritionally balanced meal.
Last year the charity delivered close to one million lunches to hungry kids.
As part of Babcock’s commitment to making a positive impact to the communities in which it operates, staff will roll up their sleeves and assemble 2,000 cheese sandwiches, which will then be wrapped and delivered, together with recess and fruit items, to six local schools around Henderson. There the lunches will be discreetly distributed to children in need.
Eat Up currently caters for more than 900 schools nationally but has a wait list of close to 400 schools. Preparation of the program’s sandwiches relies solely on the help of volunteers.
“Babcock’s purpose is to create a safe and secure world, together. When we heard that one of biggest barriers to supporting these schools is actually having someone to prepare the sandwiches, we jumped at the chance to help,” Babcock Australasia Managing Director of Marine, Simon Spratt said.
Studies reveal children who don’t have access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food are less likely to be able to focus and concentrate in an educational environment, negatively impacting their health, wellbeing, and learning.
“Schools across the country are relying on Eat Up to provide in excess of 30,000 sandwiches each week,” Mr Spratt said.
“This program is so much more than just sandwiches though. It’s an act of kindness that can be transformational. At Babcock we are committed to strengthening the communities that we work in and it is our hope that with full stomachs, these children have the fuel to be able to reach their potential. And who knows… that might one day be as a Babcock engineer at Henderson.
Babcock will host a series of sandwich-making sessions across the country as part of the new national partnership. In total, it is expected to make 8,000 sandwiches for students this coming year.
Many staff will participate utilising their ‘Be Kind’ Day – a company initiative that allows staff to take a paid leave day to volunteer for a community initiative or cause important to them.
Eat Up has seen record demand for its lunches in the last 12 months – up 34 per cent from 2023.
“We’re incredibly grateful for Babcock’s partnership and support. This year, they’ll help us make over 8,000 sandwiches for kids in need — support that’s more crucial than ever with the rising cost of living. These sandwiches will help kids focus in the classroom, learn, and ultimately build a brighter future,” Eat Up Founder Lyndon Galea said.
“In WA, one in four students at Eat Up-supported schools depend on our free lunches, and the number of children needing support continues to rise. With more schools reaching out for help each week, Babcock’s support means we can keep up with this urgent need and ensure no child goes hungry at school.”
Background
Babcock
Babcock’s social investment initiatives extend right across Australia and New Zealand delivering socioeconomic benefits. Its current partners include Military and Emergency Services Health Australia, Yalari Foundation, University of Adelaide Women in Stem Careers Program, Australian Defence Force Australian Rules wheelchair team, Engineering Aid Australia, Re-Engineering Foundation, Auckland University of Technology and Lifeblood.
These programs reflect the company’s commitment to fostering inclusivity, supporting First Nations and veteran communities, and advancing education and gender equality in STEM fields.
Eat Up
Each week, Eat Up makes and delivers over 30,000 lunches directly to primary, secondary and special schools across Australia.
In the past financial year, Eat Up has delivered 17,000 kg of fresh fruit, thanks to the generosity of its supporters.
Eat Up does not receive any government funding; Eat Up’s sustainable model is supported by generous in-kind partners, philanthropic and community sectors, along with dedicated corporate and individual support.
In addition to a humble cheese sandwich, Eat Up lunches can also include Chobani Yoghurt pouches, Messy Monkey Recess snacks, Heinz Beanz and fresh fruit.
According to Eat Up’s latest Evaluation Report released this week:
- Demand had grown 34% growth from 2023. The biggest growth has been in regional schools, with enrolments growing by 54% in the year 2023 to 2024.
- Along with the growth in schools enrolled in the program, there has been a 47% growth in the number of sandwiches provided to schools over the last 12 months.
- Its lunches save participating schools a collective $3.3 million annually.
