Increased demand drives donation needs at Outpost

DEMAND for homeless support services in the Geelong region is continuing to rise as local organisation The Outpost calls for donations.

The organisation is in need of full-size toiletries including shampoo, conditioner and body wash along with toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorants and razors.

Outpost board chair Amy Flint said they are aware everybody is struggling with the cost-of-living crisis and as a result, many are going without basic necessities.

“We have more people who are struggling to make ends meet, who are now accessing our services and therefore are in homes and require those larger products rather than the smaller travel size that we are traditionally given.”

Ms Flint said these products bring a sense of normality for people who are struggling and are just like the regular items found in everyday homes.

“For people accessing these products, it’s the difference of clean hair or adequate personal hygiene.

“This is a basic dignity that nobody should be going without and nobody wants to go without those things either.

“If the choice on the shopping list is between bread or soap, feeding yourself is going to prevail, or feeding your children is going to prevail.”

As winter approaches donations of beanies, scarves, gloves and blankets are also needed by the organisation.

Ms Flint attributes the rise in demand to their new location in Little Ryrie Street, resulting in more people having access to the services.

“We attribute this to our more welcoming and homely space and our more central location, now that we are there and very visible to the community and open to the community, more people feel like our service is more accessible for them.

“I want to thank the community for welcoming and supporting us as we transitioned into our new home.

“We are in a position to support more people now and it’s with the support of the community that we’re able to do that.”

Monetary donations can be made at outpostgeelong.org.au or items can be dropped off Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 10.30am and 1.30pm and every night of the year between 7pm and 9pm.