Meaningful and practical support

Anglicare Tasmania has had a heartwarming response from its parish partners to a Winter Appeal call-out.

We invited parishes to coordinate donations of food, cleaning and toiletry items that we could distribute to people who use our services, and they quickly started flowing in. Participating parishes that donated goods included Huon Anglican, the parish of New Town and Lenah Valley, All Saints South Hobart, Lindisfarne Anglican, St George’s Battery Point, Clarence South, St Mark’s Deloraine, Edge Anglican, St Stephen’s Wynyard, Burnie Anglican, Holy Trinity Launceston, Midlands Anglican, Parish of Penguin and St David’s Cathedral, with others providing much-needed financial donations.

“We’ve been struck not only by the generous quantity of items, but also by the obvious thought and care that went into selecting them,” said Anglicare’s Parish Community Development Coordinator Amy Maskell.

The donations have been distributed to people living in supported accommodation managed by Anglicare including Youth2Independence (Y2I) facilities in Devonport, Launceston and Hobart, the Youthcare shelter for young men, mental health services in the North and North West, and Lodges in Burnie, Launceston and the South for older adults.

Y2I Manager Rebekka Gale said the donations came at just the right time for the young people enrolled in the program.

“This winter we’ve had a large number of students getting sick with cold, flu and COVID, like everywhere else.  The donated soups were especially appreciated during this time,” she said. “When we have a young person who is unwell and may not have anyone else to assist we often use the donation pantry to put together a care package and leave it at their door. And when a student has unexpected expenses they really appreciate being able to use items from the pantry to see them through to their next pay day.”

“The students are loving the packs of fluffy socks in particular,” Rebekka added. “Something as simple as a pair of socks means a lot. I’ve noticed that a growing number of students are acknowledging how generous it is for local people to donate these items when many Tasmanians are struggling with the cost of living at the moment.”

Donations have also reached families engaged with Anglicare’s community programs. Staff working in the Housing Connect service say the donations provide immediate, practical relief to people during what is often a very overwhelming and lonely time.

“Many of our clients are in crisis, including families escaping domestic and family violence,” said a team member. “In these situations, people often leave their homes suddenly, with little or nothing. For some, the donated food is the first proper meal they’ve had in days, and simple pantry items can help bridge the gap while we work with them to secure safer, more stable housing. The toiletry items are just as valued. Having access to soap, toothbrushes, sanitary items and shampoo helps restore dignity and normalcy in the midst of a crisis.

“It’s these small gestures that make people feel valued and seen in their time of struggle.”

Pictured with Anglicare’s Parish Community Development Worker Amy Maskell are Dean of St David’s Cathedral Richard Humphrey and Raelene Weissel.

More information about Anglicare’s Winter Appeal

Donations of money from the general public and food and toiletry items from our parish partners are used in a targeted way by Anglicare to assist clients. For a list of Tasmania’s emergency relief providers go to this page on the FindHelpTas directory website.

It’s not too late to make a donation to the Appeal. Head to this page on our website for all the details.