Wyndham City's Community Centres are uniting to support people experiencing homelessness and raise awareness of the impact of homelessness.
Homelessness Week, from Monday 5 August to Sunday 11 August, is an annual campaign coordinated by Homelessness Australia to raise awareness of the impact of homelessness in Australia.
Homelessness and hardship can be caused by many factors: financial stress, mortgage stress, shortage of affordable housing, unemployment, relationship breakdown, family violence, physical and mental health issues and substance abuse.
In the 2021 Australian Census, 30,660 Victorians were without a home including 6,800 children.
In the lead-up to Homelessness Week 2024, Wyndham City is coordinating a donation drive, collecting personal care items and long-life food at Community Centres in Wyndham to make up dignity packs to be distributed to community members as a short-term emergency relief.
Wyndham City Mayor, Cr Jennie Barrera, said: "All Community Centres in Wyndham are accepting donations for dignity packs to be distributed during Homelessness Week, between Monday 3 June 2024 and Friday 5 August 2024."
"Donations are needed. Essential items such as toiletries including shampoo, conditioner, soap, moisturiser, face washers, towels, blankets, shaving equipment, new underwear, beanies, scarves, and female sanitary items can be donated."
"Long life food products including tin and canned items, soup, rice and noodles can be donated."
"Wyndham is a very generous community that cares and supports those experiencing hardship."
"If you can, please donate a personal care item. It is a small gesture that can make a difference to people experiencing homelessness."
"The dignity packs will be made up in time to distribute during Homelessness week. If you have time to help make up the packs, get in contact with Dianella Community Centre."
"We can all do something to help those experiencing homelessness."
