An Essendon Rotarian has family members who are active volunteers with Vinnies. Through her ongoing communication with Vinnies’ staff, she identified an urgent need for food and clothing to support the homeless, those on low incomes, and those living in government housing.The COVID19 pandemic has resulted in an increased demand for the services provided by Vinnies and many support organisations. Rotary Essendon members sought to make a difference to those in the community who were presented with daily challenges and had limited or no access to nutritional food and warm clothing. Organisations such as Vinnies work tirelessly to provide support for those in need. This support gives families and individuals the opportunity to live with some dignity and self-worth.
The St Vincent de Paul Society’s (“Vinnies”) members and volunteers provide practical support, advocacy and friendship to the most vulnerable in our community. The Society aspires to be recognised as a caring Catholic charity offering ‘a hand up’ to people in need. They do this by respecting their dignity, sharing hope, and encouraging them to take control of their own destiny. The Society’s work is carried out by members and volunteers and is supported by a small number of professional staff. When a donation is made to a specific special project, Vinnies ensures that it goes directly to the chosen cause. The Society prides itself on ensuring all funds donated are used specifically for what they are intended.After identifying the need, Rotary Essendon applied for a Rotary Foundation District Local grant for $2,500 which was matched by the Club’s contribution of $2,500 making a total of $5,000 which provided nutritional food items to the value of $3,000 and warm clothing to the value of $2,000 for those living in government housing and those experiencing homelessness.
Rotary Essendon was able to source clothing such as hats, gloves, socks, and also sleeping bags for the homeless by taking advantage of store specials from Woolworths and Kmart which enabled the purchase of additional items with the available funds. Thanks to the generosity of Roger Priestly from Boundys IGA, Essendon, the Grant also funded the purchase of basic food items to the value of $3,000.
Together with staff and volunteers from Vinnies, several members from Rotary Essendon participated in the packing of items and organising the distribution of items. Two members also spent an evening with the Vinnies staff and volunteers meeting clients and distributing much-needed food and clothing items.
By partnering with a community organisation such as Vinnies, The Rotary Foundation, District 9800 and Rotary Essendon provided an example of Rotary Caring for the Community and reinforced the Foundation’s mission of Doing Good In The World. Rotarians witnessed the passion and commitment demonstrated by the staff and volunteers at Vinnies and saw how their efforts made a difference to the lives of many people and felt the gratitude expressed by the clients who can continue to maintain dignity.