Huge donations making a big difference

TWO big donations could see a local homeless service transform in a major way.

MADCOW, which stands for Make A Difference Change Our World, has completed its donation campaign to raise $1.79 million, which means it can purchase the building it operates out of on 214 Hargreaves Street.

The organisation is an initiative of Bendigo Baptist Community Care and provides meals for homeless people throughout the day, also offering them a safe space to relax and connect with service providers.

Founding director Matt Parkinson said the building, which also houses Bendigo Baptist Community Care op shop, is no longer fit for purpose.

“We’ve been here for nine years, and we want to make it fit for purpose for homeless services,” he said. “We need to move the op shop because we can’t do what we’re doing well.”

The donations come from the Sidney Myer Fund and an anonymous donor.

“We had $50,000 at the start of the year towards it which was big on its own,” Mr Parkinson said. “To raise $1.79 million is amazing.”

MADCOW’s business model includes providing employment opportunities for Karen refugees and NDIS participants, with profits going towards homeless services.

The op shop, which also helps fund the service, will be relocated.

Mr Parkinson said the site will be fitted out with more storage, laundry, and showering facilities, as well as a possible clinical space for telehealth appointments.

“To create a safe space for those on the street is really important, it’s not just about the growing numbers it’s about doing it well for them,” he said.

“They haven’t had this, it’ll be really exciting for us and for them. We earn their trust, they come into a space and feel like they can share their story and we can start that process of getting them off the street.

“Sometimes they just want to come in and crash on a chair. At the moment it’s not pretty, but having a couple of couches, simple stuff where they can come in and just rest for a couple of hours is huge.”

According to Mr Parkinson, MADCOW helps over 150 homeless people, and can see up to 70 people a day seeking a meal.

In further fundraising efforts, Monday saw two cyclists, Dave and Lewis Gillett, embark on their MADRIDE, a 1100-kilometre ride from Bendigo to Queensland aimed at generating money for the building’s fit out.