By Alesha Capone
As increasing numbers of people turn to charities and community services for help with life’s essentials, Uniting Wyndham has issued an urgent request for donations from the public.
The Uniting Vic.Tas office in Werribee, known as Uniting Wyndham, is running its annual winter appeal seeking donations of new and good-quality used blankets, sheet sets, doonas, swags, jackets and other winter woollies.
The organisation is also calling for financial donations to support those doing it tough.
During the latest Victorian pandemic lockdown from May 25 to June 8, nearly a third of people requesting emergency relief from Uniting’s Werribee office were new clients.
Across the fortnight, 140 people turned to Uniting Wyndham for help, of which 47 were new clients.
This included an increase in people who had lost employment or been stood down from their jobs.
Uniting Wyndham also saw an increase in the number of people seeking assistance for food parcels and paying bills, and a slight increase in those needing pharmacy assistance and in rental arrears.
Uniting Vic.Tas general manager – north and west Victoria, Annette Kelly-Egerton, said some people were “being forced to choose between purchasing food or paying for electricity”.
“It’s the most disadvantaged people in our community who are always hardest hit in the colder months,” she said.
“This is a time of great uncertainty and we know there are many people in our community who are really struggling.”
Ms Kelly-Egerton said a $29 donation was enough to buy a new blanket or doona for someone in need.
“We’re asking people to contribute what they can,” she said.
“All donations are welcomed and will be appreciated this winter.”
Donations can be made in person at Uniting Wyndham, 19 Duncans Road Werribee between 9am and 2.30pm on weekdays, Ray White Werribee, Penrose Promenade Community Centre, Tarneit Library and Featherbrook Youth Resource Centre.
Financial donations can be made online at unitingblanketwyndham.gofundraise.com.au.
For more information, visit, www.unitingvictas.org.au or contact 9051 2000.
