Lunch for Lazarus to help locals in need

NEXT month’s ‘Lunch for Lazarus’ fundraising event will call on the community to help support Lazarus Community Centre and Lifeline Geelong/South West Victoria in their mission to provide care to those struggling to meet basic needs in the Greater Geelong region.

To take place on Thursday, June 15, in the Captains Room at GMHBA Stadium, the event will see businesses and locals join the two crisis support organisations for a day of socialising and fundraising over a two-course inclusive lunch.

All proceeds from the event will help Lazarus and their staff to keep supporting locals doing it tough by providing them with a place they can feel safe and welcome.

According to Lazarus Community Centre general manager Jade Hamilton, the need for Lazarus’ services has increased dramatically, including daily attendance during the month of April being up 58 clients from that of March.

Lazarus is seeing a huge rise in the need for their services from the Greater Geelong community.

“The number of people experiencing homelessness in Greater Geelong has more than doubled over the past 6 years… this is the second highest growth in homelessness across the state in this period.

“While the amount of people relying on our services has rapidly increased, the resources have remained the same which has makes it harder for us to operate.

“Our growing client base are men and women, who previously never accessed homeless services and are now unable to afford rent, are sleeping in their cars and using the centre’s shower and facilities before heading off to work.

“The event will be really about getting our name out there as well as echoing the homelessness and cost of living crisis within our region.

“We hope the event can really benefit both Lazarus and Lifeline in our goals of helping those struggling in our community.”

While not setting an overall fundraising target for the event, Ms Hamilton hoped that the event would help establish long term relationships with key stakeholders who can “provide ongoing and sustainable support for Lazarus and [their] clients.”

Tickets for the Lunch for Lazarus event can be purchased at www.stickytickets.com.au/mamwt/lunch_for_lazarus__partnership_between_lifeline_and_lazarus.aspx