text: ABC Gives, the national broadcaster’s annual charity appeal, has raised close to $1.5 million for those most in need in the lead-up to the festive season.
  Listeners from across the ABC’s network of eight capital city radio stations and 48 regional bureaux responded generously to the call for donations to OzHarvest, Foodbank and Tasmania’s ABC Giving Tree Appeal.
  The $1.5 million raised will provide more than 2.4 million meals for vulnerable individuals, families and communities to be distributed across the year.
  ABC Radio held “Days of Giving” in November and December, which saw ABC presenters and prominent members of the community give their time and support to the event, including ABC Adelaide’s Breakfast presenter Nikolai Beilharz, who shaved his hair, ABC Sydney’s Breakfast host James Valentine offering a home jazz performance and Sydney Drive presenter, Richard Glover promising to pressure-hose a listener’s driveway.
  The appeal was also included in the ABC’s New Year’s Eve concert and fireworks broadcast.
  ABC director of regional and local, Judith Whelan thanked the ABC audience for its generosity. She said: “December and January can be a very tough time of year with many families struggling to put food on the table.”
  “The money raised through ABC Gives will give a significant boost to the number of meals OzHarvest and Foodbank can deliver to those who need it most. In some cases, it will mean families will not go hungry,” Whelan added.
  Foodbank Australia CEO, Brianna Casey, said: “Foodbank is so grateful for the support of ABC Radio and the ABC Radio Gives Appeal. On any given day in Australia, more than half a million households are struggling to put food on the table, with the cost of living the most common reason for people struggling. Thanks to ABC Gives, we are able to help those doing it tough right now.”
  CEO and founder of OzHarvest, Ronni Kahn said: “We are so grateful for the incredible support of the ABC community and to all the listeners and viewers who donated so generously. At a time when the need for food has never been greater, OzHarvest can now deliver an extra 880,000 meals to Aussies in need!”