Donate responsibly to flood-affected communities
People wanting to dig deep for flood victims are being encouraged to use official donations channels to ensure flood-affected communities receive support, without overwhelming on-the-ground service providers.
Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said 54,000 critical items, valued at $620,000, have been donated and distributed to flood-affected communities through online donation hub GIVIT since the start of March.
“It’s so heart-warming to see this outpouring of support from so many people right across our State. The best way people can help communities in times of need is via the official donations channels,” Ms Cooke said.
“The NSW Government’s arrangement with GIVIT allows councils, local charities and community groups to tell us exactly what they need. GIVIT then works to meet these needs through an online warehouse or by purchasing requested items locally using donations.
“The NSW Government will continue to support flood-affected communities, particularly in the Northern Rivers region and Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley, for as long as it takes to recover from this ongoing flood event.”
GIVIT CEO Sarah Tennant said critical items like fuel vouchers, groceries, furniture, whitegoods and clothing are being delivered to flood-affected households.
“GIVIT has provided 20 family-sized tents through the Woodburn Hub so residents can stay in their backyards during the clean-up, and we are providing laptops for students from Casino so they can continue to study,” Ms Tennant said.
“A Lismore family, with a son who has a disability, now has a fridge and they’ve been able to purchase essential kitchen items after the ground floor of their home was destroyed.”
Other organisations providing assistance in the flood recovery effort include Good360, St Vincent de Paul, the Salvation Army, Lifeline, Foodbank, Red Cross and Lismore City Council via the Lismore Flood Appeal.
To donate and learn more about GIVIT’s storm and flood appeal, go to: www.givit.org.au/storms-and-flooding