On Friday, 20 May 2011, all Australians are encouraged to donate what they would normally spend on lunch to Shout Lunch Fight Hunger, a one-day initiative aimed at helping the hungry, homeless and needy.

All money raised will go to OzHarvest, a not-for-profit organisation that rescues unwanted food from restaurants, retailers, food outlets and corporate kitchens across Sydney, Canberra, Newcastle and Wollongong. OzHarvest distributes the rescued food to charities and homeless shelters daily, feeding communities in need.

It's pretty simple - bring your lunch from home and donate what you would normally spend on lunch to Shout Lunch Fight Hunger. All workplaces and individuals are encouraged to join in so why not whip up your signature dish and share it with your workmates, family or friends, so they can donate their lunch money too? Just one dollar equals one meal - $10 provides 10 meals to disadvantaged Australians.

2011 OzHarvest Shout Lunch Fight Hunger ambassador and celebrity chef Matt Moran said: "Why not show off your skills as a MasterChef and impress your workmates by bringing in a plate and at the same time, raise money for OzHarvest? It's a no brainer and who doesn't want to shout their mates lunch anyway?"

According to Bill Monk from the Eddie Dixon Centre at the Paddington Uniting Church, OzHarvest's contribution has been essential in helping support everyone who comes through these doors in search of food and refuge.

Monk said: "Donations of food received from OzHarvest provide vital support to the Eddie Dixon Centre - it's our front-line service to the needy, homeless and marginalised. OzHarvest's contribution of daily food products has allowed us to make thousands of good meals here each day and every year to feed the needy. Thanks OzHarvest!"

Since 2004, OzHarvest has delivered a staggering eight million meals to communities in need. Not only does OzHarvest help the disadvantaged, it also diverts good food from being dumped as landfill. Australian households alone throw away roughly $5.2 billion worth of food every year and it is estimated that close to three million tonnes of food per annum ends up in the rubbish. Imagine how much food goes to waste in households and the hospitality industry as a whole?

Register or donate online at www.ozharvest.org

Click here for a great club sandwich roll or a tuna wrap recipe you can make for lunch.