The holidays can be a time of celebration and joy, but for many in our community, it’s a season of struggle. With rising costs and growing challenges, countless families are facing this holiday period without basic food and essentials, let alone gifts for their children.
Local people come to Camcare for essential services and advice, knowing they will receive non-judgmental and practical support. We need your help to continue to support all members in our community.
With a 15% increase in requests for services over the past year, donations from valued supporters like you ensure we can act swiftly and effectively when someone in our community needs help.
The ‘cost of living’ and ‘housing crisis’ are phrases we hear in the media and in daily conversations so frequently that the real impact of what they mean may be lost on people who are less affected than the vulnerable members of our community.
Camcare is seeing an increase in people coming to us who are in dire need of support but have minimalised their needs. They find themselves with no resources and no end in sight. People are talking to us about the distress and shame of needing to ask for food and other supports – they have tried so hard to make it through the rising food costs and the challenging rental markets that they have pushed themselves into debt and despair.
June’s story
When June walked through Camcare’s door to quietly ask for food for the weekend, she hadn’t eaten anything but peanut butter sandwiches for the previous three days. She had just $12 and no money coming in from her casual job until the following week.
It took those three days for June to summon the courage to reach out to Camcare, as she felt it was a sign of defeat. A sign that she couldn’t manage her life and she would lose her independence.
June was welcomed by our volunteers who explained that we are here to support everyone during hard times. We can all need material and emotional support at various times in our lives, and it is courageous to know when it is time to seek support.
Camcare was able to provide June with groceries, a referral to our Fresh Food Program and a time to return with her overdue gas bills, so we could work with her utility provider to set up a payment plan. June was encouraged to return the following day to get more food supplies and to attend our community BBQ.
This holiday season, support local people like June and donate today: https://www.givenow.com.au/camcare
Donate today
By donating to Camcare, you will be directly supporting people in the City of Boroondara who need a helping hand. Your donation will go a long way and help us maintain our Emergency Relief service that supports those who need them most.
To make a donation today, visit: https://www.givenow.com.au/camcare
Thank you for supporting Camcare and our work in the community.
