Want to lend a hand this winter? Here are five easy ways to help those in need
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For people struggling to make ends meet, winter can be particularly tough.
From having nutritious food on the table to finding somewhere warm and safe to sleep, the barriers for vulnerable members of the Canberra community are staggering. Add in the rising cost of living and you can see why winter 2023 is a brutal challenge for those in need.
That’s where Communities at Work comes in. As they launch their 2023 Winter Appeal, Manager of Social Programs Trevor Gilbertson points out that the number of people accessing the local pantries each week has almost doubled in 12 months. They supported 500 households seeking food in May alone.
“There seems to be a perception that Canberra is a very well-off city. But like every city we have people in need,” he says.
“And I think sometimes people forget—or don’t realise—that there are vulnerable people in our community that need assistance.”
But how do you even begin to help, let alone make a lasting impact?
Here Trevor talks through five (very easy ways) to lend a hand and support locals this winter.
Make a tax-deductible donation.
Sometimes just a $10 donation can make a huge difference—so why not make your coffee at home one morning and donate the money instead.
Making a small donation (that you can claim during tax time) is an easy way to give people a leg up when they need it most, says Trevor. If you want to make an end of financial year donation there’s still time (just).
“People can also give gift cards instead of money,” Trevor says. “A $20 gift card from Woolies or Coles will help someone buy nappies or put some fuel in their car. Those things are really practical and helpful.”
Trevor says community donations are essential in helping stock their food pantries and run their Crisis Support Program. This important program helps people who are struggling with finances and gives them vital access to food, medications, professional clothing for interviews, essential items, and emergency relief.
“We also offer a safe space for people to seek help on where they can go for other matters,” explains Trevor.
Find a new home for your (non-perishable) food items.
There are so many stories of Canberrans in need that stand out to Trevor—including clients who hadn’t eaten for three days. “We gave them food and they were just so thankful,” he says. “It makes you realise how much you take for granted in your own life.”
According to Trevor, more and more Canberrans are accessing the pantries. “The current environment has forced people to look for help who normally wouldn’t need it. This includes families with double incomes – a demographic we hadn’t previously seen,” he says.
And as this demand grows, Communities at Work are calling for more non-perishable food donations so they can continue to help put food on the table for those in need.
“Food donations allow us to supply everybody with enough food and give people choice of food. Instead of just being handed out food, people are able to choose the things that suit their family or group. This gives them dignity.”
Trevor encourages people to also think about donating other essential items—like personal hygiene items and cleaning products. These items are often forgotten about. For more information on what you can donate and where to drop it off, visit the Communities at Work Donation Essentials page.
Try this quirky fundraising event.
If you’re looking for a fun or quirky way to donate food, what about building a rocket ship, hot air balloon or Niagara Falls – out of food cans? Communities at Work is bringing back their CANstruction food drives to make it easier for people to dig deep and donate as the cold weather begins to set in.
“A CANstruction food drive can be a bit of a fun competition between teams within an organisation to see who can build the best construction from cans and other food products. The aim is to encourage people to donate food to our pantries, but along the way, they have a lot of fun using the cans to build something,” explains Trevor.
“Organisations can come up with their own themes for their CANstruction…we just suggest what food products they could use, based on what our clients need in the pantries. We often find people will also use boxes of cereal, packets of noodles, and long-life milk in their structures – which are all still great. But the principle is to mainly use canned goods.”
Give a little on a regular basis through your pay.
Did you know that you can regularly donate money directly to a charity through your pay and receive a tax deduction as you give? Workplace giving is an easy ‘set-and-forget’ way to help those in need, with money coming straight out of your pay cheque.
“As an employee, you can choose Communities at Work as your charity organisation of choice,” says Trevor.
“And if you’re an employer, you can easily set up a payroll giving scheme to support your employees’ charitable giving. You’ll not only be helping the community but also improving your business’s reputation, meeting your corporate social impact, and boosting staff morale. It’s a win all round!”
Donate a little (or a lot) of your time.
Prefer to give back in a more hands-on way? How about spending three hours a week volunteering at one of the Communities at Work pantries or at its Best Dressed Store op shop in Manuka?
“Normally our shifts run for a maximum of three hours,” explains Trevor. “People can volunteer once a week or once a month – whatever fits in with their lives. We’ll work around what people can offer.”
With the option to work on a cash register, stock the shelves, sort the food deliveries or tag and display clothing donations, there are plenty of roles that people can do to fit their skills and interests. “Volunteering is a fantastic and fun way to give back to your local community,” says Trevor. “And it’s great for getting out of the house and meeting new people.”
Want to know more?
Donations are 100 per cent invested back into the Canberra region through the Communities at Work community support programs So you know that your whole donation will be used to help someone in need.
