Business and welfare sectors work together for bushfire relief

The Brotherhood of St Laurence has been touched by the generous response of its supporters to the bushfire emergency and is working hard to make sure that donations are matched with the needs of the communities devastated by the fires, executive director Tony Nicholson said last week.

“As the relief effort begins to move from immediate emergency relief to the long recovery phase the Brotherhood is working with the Victorian Government, VicRelief Foodbank, the Red Cross and others in marshalling material and financial relief resources.

“As part of this work the Brotherhood has representatives on the State Emergency Service Material Aid Committee,” Mr Nicholson said.

“Part of the challenge we face is to channel the enormous public goodwill into the most effective strategies to meet the need of those affected. It is important to do so in a manner which assists them determine how they wish to rebuild their lives.

“And as the impact of these terrible events continue to unfold our thoughts and best wishes are with the Brotherhood of St Laurence staff and volunteers who have, sadly, been directly and deeply affected by the bushfires,” Mr Nicholson said.

As donated goods come in Brotherhood staff and volunteers are working hard to direct the goods that are needed to the relief effort.

Staff in the Social Enterprises department are maintaining a detailed inventory of goods received and goods offered and communicating daily with VicRelief Foodbank, Victoria's largest, independent, emergency relief resource centre, and also with the City of Whittlesea, on what’s required at the bushfire relief centres.

Staff and volunteers – who include staff who have come in on days off – are sorting and packing the goods, and those that are needed immediately are being trucked to the bushfire relief centres. The deliveries have included pallets of towels, bedding and toiletries.

The Brotherhood’s major corporate supporters of the organisations Social Enterprises, such as community stores, have also made major donations of goods. Pacific Brands’ donation included hundreds of doonas, doona covers and other bedding, and underwear, socks and baby clothes. Sorbies has made a bulk donation of packs of disposable nappies.

Brotherhood staff are recording all offers of goods and services so that they can be taken up at a later date if they match the needs that will arise over the coming days, weeks and months.

“As the Victorian community embarks on the journey of recovery from these terrible fires the Brotherhood of St Laurence will continue to make every effort to assist,” Mr Nicholson said. 

Source - Brotherhood of St Laurence