Helping out in times of crisis

In Australia, we’re unfortunately only too used to natural disasters such as fires, cyclones and floods. Sanitarium is able to assist communities in the aftermath of such catastrophic events by providing emergency relief in the form of Weet-Bix, So Good and UP&GO.

When natural disaster strikes, Sanitarium’s agency partner, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), assesses the situation and identifies the best way for us to provide support. We then stay in contact with agencies working on the ground to ensure that the most appropriate assistance reaches those in need as quickly as possible.

Providing food relief where it is most needed is just one of the ways Sanitarium fulfils its philosophy of caring for our communities.

Northern NSW Floods March 2022

Northern NSW and Queensland residents battled through yet another flood crisis in March 2022. Many towns remained cut off from regional centres with no power, clean water supply and had no access to fresh food and pantry supplies. They face a long recovery with many residents in emergency accommodation with only a simple bag of possessions. The Sanitarium team facilitated the allocation of product support in the affected areas through our relief partners ADRA.

Murray Miller, Emergency Management Director, ADRA Australia said “ADRA greatly appreciates the support of Sanitarium in supplying these essential pantry items for those impacted by the floods in northern NSW. We have identified close to 4000 families and individuals in need of support in the affected areas. The supplies from Sanitarium are nutritious pantry staples that not only lift weary spirits but provide hunger relief when they need it most.”

The ADRA team identified a delivery location that remained high, dry, accessible for truck deliveries and could safely store the donation of close to 16 pallets of Weet-Bix, So Good Milk, Up&Go, Marmite and Peanut Butter. This included 4000 cases of Weet-Bix and close to 12,000 serves of UP&GO. The site will act as a hub for their amazing volunteers to collect and distribute items to a number of northern NSW areas.

Thank you to businesses from the local industrial area who are generously assisting with unloading of pallets and to the volunteers distributing the items to where they are needed most. If you would personally like to help, donations can be directed to our partners ADRA and Foodbank.

NSW Floods 2020

We worked closely with Foodbank Australia to donate 88,000 serves of Weet-Bix, So Good and Peanut Butter to support emergency food hampers for families who have been evacuated from their homes across Northern NSW.

A recipient of an Emergency Food Hamper from Foodbank said "I live in Wingham, which is severely affected with the recent floods, and I have just received your Emergency Food Hamper and just wanted to send you a large THANK YOU for your organisation’s help. It has just made my day and very helpful in this dreadful time. Thank you again and to all who supply your organisation." - Glenn

Perth Bushfires 2020

Our team in Western Australia were quick to offer support when a devasting bushfire tore through Wooroloo in the Perth Hills in February 2020. The fire destroyed 86 homes and threatened many more. 

While Red Cross spearheaded the emergency response, the nearby Morley Seventh-day Adventist Church quickly prepared to become an overflow evacuation centre. Many of the Church’s 120 members pitched in, preparing beds, food and sourcing food products for emergency food hampers. 

The evacuation centre connected with our Carmel factory, who swiftly arranged to donate 828 serves of Weet-Bix and other stock directly to the evacuation centre, contributing to emergency food hampers distributed to people in need on the frontline. 

“We called Sanitarium and the staff were really helpful at short notice, giving us Weet-Bix and other products,” explained Church Pastor Ben Tavao. “We're so grateful that we had that support.” 

Sanitarium donated 10,260 serves of Weet-Bix, So Good, UP&GO, Peanut Butter and Marmite, as part of our emergency disaster response.  

Support to victims of explosion in Beirut, Lebanon 2020

In September 2020, Sanitarium donated So Good, Weet-Bix and Peanut Butter to support the victims of a devastating explosion in Beirut, Labanon.

The team at Toll Group organised a charitable donation delivery with several international air containers filled with donations from Toll customers. Toll filled the containers with rice, flour, white sugar, pasta, nappies, wipes, bandages, medical consumables and personal care items.