Need for children’s goods increasing

SUNSHINE Bendigo is calling on more community support as they deal with an increase in referrals.

The not-for-profit organisation provides new and used baby and small child goods for families in need, working with service agencies across Bendigo.

Last week was Homelessness Week and founder and director of Sunshine Bendigo, Glenda Serpell, said it was a good opportunity to highlight to the community the need that exists.

“As an organisation, we see a little bit firsthand the effects, particularly in the service we provide which is goods for babies and children,” she said.

“We’ve seen an increase in that over the last two years and this is a really good opportunity to highlight that to the community.”

For homeless people, moving into a home can be a daunting process and Ms Serpell said Sunshine Bendigo can help families in the transition process through referrals from agencies such as Anglicare and Centre for Non-Violence.

“I had a call from a local service agency that explained they finally have a house for a family after 19 months of looking,” she said.

“When they’re at that point they need the goods to provide for that family, we’re able to step in at that stage and provide goods for babies and children up to the age of six.

“It might be a new-born, it might be extended family looking after children in terms of a place to sleep, some clean warm clothing. All of those things.

“We’ve been extremely busy for the past two years and increasing every day.”

Sunshine Bendigo is always looking for new and used baby goods, financial donations, and volunteers to help out at its 18 Vains Street, Golden Square location.