WITH the arrival of the chilly season and many people feeling the pinch of increasing living costs, the Ballarat Foundation has launched the 2023 Ballarat Winter Appeal.<\/p>\n
Community members are being encouraged to donate cash, non-perishable food, clothing, and blankets, which will be distributed to local emergency relief agencies the Salvation Army, Uniting, Anglicare, and St Vincent de Paul.<\/p>\n
The Salvos\u2019 Kaz Thomas leads the Ballarat Community Church\u2019s meals program and said she is serving many new clients of different demographics.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re seeing lots of homeless, and families living in their cars; mum, dad and two kids,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cDonations are needed more now than they have been in a long time, and since COVID, it just seems to be getting worse.<\/p>\n
\u201cDig deep. If we don\u2019t get these donations, we won\u2019t be able to help those who most need it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Agency representatives expressed gratitude to Blake Family Grocers, who have already provided $33,000 worth of food, which was delivered in-kind by O\u2019Neil\u2019s Transport to Vinnies\u2019 base in Dawson Street this week.<\/p>\n
Ballarat Foundation has been the steward of the long-running appeal since last year, and CEO Andrew Eales said the aim is to generate $50,000 worth of donations in 2023.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis winter is going to be incredibly challenging for many Ballarat families,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cCost of living pressures means many are facing decisions about basics such as using heating or buying food.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery dollar raised through the appeal directly supports those in need in the Ballarat community.\u201d<\/p>\n
Visit bit.ly\/42kJXjj to donate money. Food, blankets, and clothing can be given directly to The Salvation Army\u2019s Ballarat Community Church on the corner of Eureka Street and Main Road.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
WITH the arrival of the chilly season and many people feeling the pinch of increasing living costs, the Ballarat Foundation has launched the 2023 Ballarat Winter Appeal. Community members are being encouraged to donate cash, non-perishable food, clothing, and blankets, which will be distributed to local emergency relief agencies the Salvation Army, Uniting, Anglicare, and […]<\/p>\n