Help Our Village help struggling families

AFTER a year of record demand, Our Village (previously Geelong Mums) has launched its Festive Appeal.

The rise in cost of living and need for assistance is higher than ever with families struggling, including those who have never experienced financial pressures before.

Through the charity, essential items for babies and children in need across Victoria are rehomed, providing safety, opportunity and dignity for families.

In 2023 alone, Our Village assisted 9,438 families and is on track to receive more than 10,000 requests this year, but cannot provide for all of them at the moment.

Our Village head of community engagement and operations Julia Roache said the charity wanted to help as many families as possible, but needed Victorians to rally and help out.

“Last financial year we saw an increase of 500 requests from families for help year on year and, as the cost-of-living crisis worsens, the demand has only increased.

“We are fast heading towards over 10,000 requests this calendar year. That’s over 27 families that are without the basics or unable to provide for their children asking for help everyday.

“We have set a goal of $300,000 for our Festive Appeal and we hope that people play Santa and donate whatever they can so that these Victorian families do not have to go without the basics.”

Helping families in need is a time-consuming and costly process, and while many volunteers donate their time, Our Village is asking people to dig deep and help keep the charity’s operations running.

More volunteers and donations of pre-loved and new goods including prams, cots, car seat, clothes and bedding also help in supporting struggling families.

For more information and to donate to the appeal, head to festive-appeal-2024-will-you-play-santa.raiselysite.com