As the weather becomes colder, Uniting Vic.Tas is calling on residents in the northern and western suburbs to help out those most in need.
The community services organisation has launched its Winter Blanket Appeal, with the aim of distributing as many blankets and doonas as possible to people experiencing homelessness or poverty.
Uniting Vic.Tas is asking for donations of good-quality blankets from members of the public.
You can also donate directly to the cause – just $29 is enough to buy a new blanket or doona for someone doing it tough.
Uniting Vic.Tas general manager north and west Victoria, Annette Kelly-Egerton, said unaffordable rents and family violence were among the leading contributors to homelessness.
She said that with the end of JobKeeper and the JobSeeker payment being reduced, Uniting Vic.Tas was bracing for a surge in demand – including from people experiencing homelessness – this winter.
“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.
“Homelessness isn’t just living on the streets – it could be someone with nowhere to live and having to couch-surf or a mother and her children fleeing family violence and living in their car.
“We see many people who are lucky enough to have housing but are forced to choose between purchasing food or paying for electricity. ”
Ms Kelly-Egerton said the disadvantaged people were “always hardest hit in the colder months”.
“We’re asking people to contribute what they can – all donations are welcomed and will be appreciated this winter,” she said.
Good-quality blankets can be donated in-person at Uniting Vic.Tas’ locations, 19 Duncans Road Werribee, 310 Barkly Street, Footscray (Wednesday to Friday only) and 1100 Pascoe Vale Road, Broadmeadows.
Ray White Werribee, Penrose Promenade Community Centre in Tarneit, Tarneit library and Featherbrook Youth Resource Centre in Point Cook are also acting as donation drop-off points.
Financial donations can be made online at: https://unitingblanketwyndham.gofundraise.com.au.
