The St Vincent de Paul Society has been awarded a $1.6 million Lotterywest grant to help it carry out its important work in Western Australia.
Community Services Minister Simone McGurk presented the grant to the St Vincent de Paul Society - affectionately known as Vinnies.
The grant will help fund the Vinnies Emergency Assistance and Support program in WA, which provides immediate financial or material support such as food and help with paying rent or utility bills.
The program operates across Perth as well as in regional and remote WA.
Assistance is provided through the generous work of volunteers, who visit people in their homes or help them in a Vinnies Support Centre.
As stated by Community Services Minister Simone McGurk:
"The COVID-19 pandemic has made the work of community-based support providers like Vinnies even more vital in supporting many of the State's most vulnerable people impacted by hardship and disadvantage.
"Vinnies' support workers are on the frontline, supporting people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, people with mental health issues, victims of family and domestic violence, and people who are unemployed.
"Compassion and support for people in need have been at the core of Vinnies' work for decades and I hope this funding will make a difference to those in need."
