Emergency Relief volunteers needed
ANGLICARE Sydney is calling on the community to volunteer for their emergency relief program.
Every week an estimated 120 people walk through the doors of ANGLICARE’s Mt Druitt office in need of food, financial and emotional support.
According to Barbara McBride, ANGLICARE Mt Druitt Emergency Relief Co-ordinator hundreds of families and individuals in the Mt Druitt area are helped out of financial crisis every year because of programs like ANGLICARE emergency relief.
Generally most people who come to ANGLICARE for help are on low incomes and may need assistance because of circumstances beyond their control, Barbara explains.
Furthermore with the economic down turn there have been some families who had never expected to need financial assistance turning to organisations like ANGLICARE for support.
“Financial hardship is incredibly stressful. Imagine not being able to pay for things like medication for your sick child because you don’t have the money or going hungry because the bills need to be paid,” says Barbara.
“The families we see often have to make that hard choice between putting food on the table and paying the bills and all of this takes its toll. Some are quite depressed about not being able to provide the necessities and it’s our job to help them in a kind and compassionate way.”
According to Barbara, ANGLICARE is always looking for more people who would be willing to volunteer their time and energy to help people in crisis.
For anyone interested in volunteering, Barbara explains that emergency relief volunteers will be involved in assessing the needs of people who request assistance, to help them with bills and food vouchers when they are in a crisis.
“We are looking for someone who has a compassionate heart for those in need and are able to give at least 1 day a week for 1 year, after being trained.”
For more information about becoming an emergency relief volunteer call Barbara McBride at Anglicare on 9832 2300 to express your interest and enrol for the training.
