THE annual Ballarat Christmas Appeal launched on Wednesday morning to support families experiencing hardship across the city this season.<\/p>\n
Led by the Ballarat Foundation, the appeal\u2019s funds will continue to be shared amongst local emergency relief charities Uniting Ballarat, The Salvation Army, St Vincent de Paul Society, and Anglicare Ballarat, who will distribute vouchers, food, essentials, and gifts.<\/p>\n
Anglicare community development manager Kim Boyd said more families than ever are asking for help.<\/p>\n
\u201cFuel and power prices are a big concern and really cutting into their daily living expenses,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe appeal is going to make it possible to give people regular food, but its also going to make it possible to give people vouchers and toys at Christmas, so kids can have a present under the tree.\u201d<\/p>\n
Emergency relief coordinator Tania Jennings said Uniting Ballarat has also seen a large increase in families needing assistance.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis year, the numbers have gone up by nearly double, and going into Christmas that\u2019s going to rise further,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll predominantly give vouchers to people who register for Christmas, but if we do get donations of toys, we\u2019ll be able to give them to families with children.<\/p>\n
\u201cGet behind the Ballarat community, the appeal, and those less fortunate. There\u2019s a real demand out there.\u201d<\/p>\n
3BA continues to be a major partner, and general manager John Fitzgibbon said he encourages the community to support it, as they have done for 40 years.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe cost of living pressures are making it a very scary proposition for local families this Christmas, so we\u2019re going to need the help of the whole community to help the agencies,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The aim of Ballarat Foundation CEO Andrew Eales is to raise $50,000 in the next two months.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe see an important role in us bringing community together,\u201d he said. \u201c3BA have long been the custodians of the appeal, and we\u2019re working with them to create a sustainable way to continue to support these great agencies.\u201d<\/p>\n