THE Limestone Coast’s biggest food relief organisation has pleaded with community members to stop stockpiling toilet paper, rice and pasta as shortages place increasing pressure on the region’s most vulnerable.
Shelves across the region have been emptied of goods, including toilet paper, as community members mass purchase items amid fears of the coronavirus.
Mount Gambier Foodbank manager Lynne Neshoda said panic buying of key staple products such as toilet paper, rice, pasta and tuna was impacting donations, adding it was “increasingly difficult for us to keep up with the current levels of food relief”.
Ms Neshoda warned the mass purchase of select products could also affect the price and exacerbate pressure on the already tight budgets for vulnerable community members.
She implored community members to think of others and “choose common sense”.
“We already have 126,000 South Australians seeking food relief every month,” Ms Neshoda said.
“This type of panic buying will put additional pressure on these houses who are already experiencing food insecurity.
“Be aware of your neighbours and share kindness.
“Think about the elderly or vulnerable who may not get to the shops until pension day.
Port MacDonnell pensioner Pauline Huckel, who travels to Mount Gambier every fortnight for her shopping, was concerned about the huge demand for essential items.
“Last time I did my shopping, I bought a big packet of toilet paper which usually lasts me a month, but I am worried about what I will do in two weeks if there is still a shortage,” she said.
“I hope things will have calmed down by then.
“Some people like myself are not able to go to the shops every day because they live out of town, do not have the time or because of high fuel prices.
“I am lucky because if there is still a shortage, I have a lot of family who will be able to help me out.”
Ms Huckel said she was purchasing additional quantities of non-perishable items in case a quarantine is issued.
“I am getting a couple of extra items here and there when I can,” she said.
Her daughter Virginia Hawke expressed shock at the fear-based hoarding and urged people to be considerate.
“You see it happening in the city, but you do not expect it to happen here,” she said.
“One of my family members has been giving an elderly lady toilet paper because she has not been able to get any.
“No one needs packets and packets of toilet paper, especially when people are missing out.”
Mount Gambier Salvation Army corp Captain Judy Shaw said the charity had been unable to source toilet paper, while long-life milk was another hot commodity with consumers.
“We order items to give to people and toilet paper did not arrive in our latest order,” she said.
“The other thing we could not get was milk and when we did receive it, it had Chinese writing on it, which we thought was interesting.
“Apart from those two items, there has not been any other impacts.
“We are making sure to educate people about personal hygiene and letting them know there is help available if people are feeling anxious about the corona
