At Quest Apartment Hotels, one of the core values of our Doing Better initiative is extending our culture of care and hospitality to the communities within which we operate.
Quest Apartment Hotels are owned and operated by local business owners who are committed to making a meaningful contribution to their communities. That’s why Quest – alongside our parent company, The Ascott Limited, Australia – is launching a three-year national partnership with Foodbank Australia, the largest hunger relief charity in Australia.
In the past year, 3.4 million Aussie households have experienced food insecurity, skipping meals or going entire days without eating. Trips to the grocery store have become fraught even for those families that previously reported having comfortable budgets. For those who were already struggling, the increases in the cost of basic food items have been devastating.
As is so often the case, single-parent families are the hardest hit by this crisis, with over two thirds facing food insecurity and 41% experiencing the severest form, regularly skipping meals or going entire days without food.
It’s something Tracy, a Foodbank recipient from WA, knows all too well. “As a single mum with a young family, making ends meet isn’t easy. But thankfully Foodbank has been there for me and my family in one way or another over the years,” said Tracy.
“When I first accessed Foodbank, I had a newborn and a one-year old and urgently needed food and toiletries. They helped us then and they’re still helping us today, whenever money is tight. The food work they do has inspired me to study and get a career where I can help others. I’ve been volunteering at a local charity for quite a few years now as a way of giving back. I’m just so grateful for the help and want to do what I can to help others,” she adds.
Foodbank’s mission is to create long-lasting change in Australia by ending hunger – and it’s a mission we’re onboard with. The partnership kicks off with a $15,000 donation, and Quest properties from around Australia will be taking part in volunteering days in Foodbank warehouses in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and Perth during March and April.
As well as pledging an annual Winter Food Drive across Australia each July at participating Quest Apartment Hotels, with properties collecting staple goods for local Foodbank branches, we’ll also host a range of events and fundraising opportunities across the country. Every dollar raised will provide two meals for people in need.
“At The Ascott Limited, Australia, we believe that thriving communities are key to our success, which is why we continue to invest in partnership initiatives that have a real impact on the wellbeing of everyday Australians,” says Managing Director, David Mansfield.
“In 2024, we partnered with organisations, such as Hotels for Trees, Accessible Accommodation and the Cronulla Sharks Women’s team, to boost sustainability, accessibility and equity within and outside our properties nationwide, where guests had trees planted and had access to more tailored stays.”
“Our partnership with Foodbank Australia reinforces our commitment to living out our values of care and hospitality while making the lives of millions of Australians, both guests and others, more comfortable.”
Anthea Dimitrakopoulos, General Manager of Brand and ESG, says, “At Ascott Australia, we understand that the rising cost-of-living crisis has left many Australians struggling to meet their most basic needs, including access to food. With many families facing food insecurity, we believe it's a crucial time to step in and make a difference.”
“Ascott Australia will leverage its extensive network of properties, people, and resources to help alleviate this pressing issue. Together with Foodbank, we can provide a lifeline to those in need, ensuring no one has to go without. We are committed to doing our part to help improve the lives of many Australians and to support a more nourished, stronger future for all.”
In addition, we’re committed to lowering Foodbank’s hard costs by offering complimentary hotel nights for staff travel at Quest locations around the country, as well as raising awareness about food insecurity in the communities in which we operate around Australia.
“Foodbank is incredibly grateful for The Ascott Limited Australia’s generous support, which will enable us to source thousands of additional meals in 2025 for the many people across the country doing it tough right now,” says Foodbank Australia CEO, Brianna Casey AM. “With the cost-of-living crisis continuing to impact the household budget, we know good food becomes a discretionary item and dropped from the shopping list, making partnerships like this extremely vital.”
