Humble heroes of the holiday season

THIS holiday season, while many volunteer-run groups closed their doors for a well-earned Christmas break, a few quiet heroes kept essential services open.

These volunteers used their break to tirelessly serve those most in need.

Among these groups is Feed Me Bellarine, Geelong and Surf Coast, which provides food aid for the community.

According to CEO and founder Lana Purcell, there are a number of reasons the group decides to remain open over the holidays.

Ms Purcell said often need increases during the Christmas break and it is more important than ever that there is a place people in need can go for help.

“We do not close our emergency relief off any day of the year. We know that there is never a day that someone might not need to reach out, especially in the most emotional times like Christmas. They might just hit rock bottom on Christmas Day or Christmas Eve, so we’re always going to have that service open so we can get food out,” she said.

“And it’s not always only about struggling about the food, it can be about their mental health as well, so we’ve made a commitment to be open 365 days a year because other agencies do close so there really is nowhere else to get help.”

Ms Purcell said at times volunteering over the Christmas break can be helpful for those who find the holiday season challenging for personal reasons.

Feed Me Bellarine, Geelong and Surf Coast has about 300 volunteers in total.

Only 10 to 15 work over the Christmas and New Year break and the organisation closes its market to the public over this time.

Another organisation that remains open over this time is OutPost, a community-run not-for profit organisation founded and run by volunteers which supplies free meals, clothes, sleeping bags, blankets, toiletries and more for the homeless and is located at 2 Transit place, Geelong.

Long-time volunteer at OutPost, Marianne, said she loves volunteering over the Christmas and New Year break and has wonderful chats with those who come in for a meal.

“Other places aren’t open, but they can come in here and have a meal, a coffee, a chat,” Marianne said.

“They know they’ve got somewhere to come to, even if it’s just to say Merry Christmas or Happy New Year, and have a chat. And I think they appreciate us being open. It doesn’t matter the amount of people we get, if it’s a handful or a lot, it’s good we can be here.”

At the moment OutPost’s doors are open every night between 7pm and 9pm, and on Wednesdays and Fridays between 10am and 1pm.

OutPost volunteers are trained for helping on a long-term basis, those wanting to help in a short-term capacity may consider donating blankets, sleeping bags and swags, toiletries or call ahead to check suitability of food donations.

Some volunteers also kept working at a number of other not-for-profit organisations such as Salvation Army, Portarlington Food Assistance Program, Lazarus Community Centre and Christ Church Community Meals.

A full list of organisations that remain open over holidays can be accessed at https://www.feedgeelong.org.au/where-can-i-eat.