Mallee Accommodation & Support Program (MASP) is calling for community support for our homeless ahead of Homelessness Week on August 5-11.
During Homelessness Week, community groups and services such as MASP raise awareness of the impact of homelessness, solutions needed to end homelessness, and advocate for change via national and local community events, media and social media activities.
MASP will hold a stall in front of Target Mildura in Mildura Central on August 9 from 10am to 4pm where community members can donate a range of household items to be delivered to the community’s homeless.
Items that can be donated include:
- Essential household items
- Personal hygiene products
- Cleaning items
- Pantry items
Please note due to hygiene and safety issues MASP cannot accept second-hand items.
MASP Manager – Homelessness Support Trevor Gibbs said any donations made by the community would go a long way to supporting some of the region’s most vulnerable.
“These are essential items that can be hugely helpful to people who are experiencing homelessness or those moving into emergency or temporary accommodation,” he said. “This drive will directly benefit those who need support, while also building awareness of the issues in our community.”
Cash donations can also be made year-round to MASP’s programs via https://masp.org.au/get-involved/donate-and-fundraise-for-masp/
This year’s Homelessness Week comes after MASP established its Assertive Outreach Program in mid-January, which has engaged almost 50 visibly homeless “rough sleepers” in the community across North West Victoria and Far West New South Wales, connecting them with services and helping to find housing solutions.
“This program was made possible through flood relief funding from the New South Wales Government, acknowledging people displaced by flood events in the past 12 months, however in Victoria is being supported by MASP’s own resources,” Mr Gibbs said.
“We are very proud of how the program has been able to make a difference so far in the lives of these people, as well as the support we have received from Local Governments, Police and other groups who have helped us to identify these rough sleepers and subsequently make that connection.”
