How to help locals in need
Do you know someone doing it tough in lockdown? Green Connect can help, writes Kate Mayhew of Community Resources. Restrictions and lockdowns because of Covid-19 are undeniably hard, many in our community are struggling with social isolation, home...
Do you know someone doing it tough in lockdown? Green Connect can help, writes Kate Mayhew of Community Resources.
Restrictions and lockdowns because of Covid-19 are undeniably hard, many in our community are struggling with social isolation, home schooling and reduced work hours.
Illawarra-based social enterprise Green Connect wants to help and is asking locals to consider donating a fruit and veg box or care package to people who are doing it tough right now.
The fruit and veg boxes are filled with chemical-free and locally grown fresh fruit and vegetables from Green Connect’s 11-acre permaculture farm in Warrawong.
The care packages have been put together by the Green Connect op shop team. They are hand-picked according to what people need most and may include things such as warm clothes, blankets, cookware, books or toys. All items have been gently used and are packed in a Covid-safe way.
Green Connect General Manager Kylie Flament said: “We’re delivering free fruit and veg boxes to people who may be struggling financially or working reduced hours.
“Our amazing op shop team are putting together and delivering care packages to people stuck at home in lockdown.
“How can the community help? We’re asking people to go to our website and donate a veg box
or care package, which we will deliver to someone in need.
“People can also nominate someone they
know who may benefit from a free care package, or four weeks of free fruit and veg boxes delivered to their door.”
Deliveries of care packages and fruit and veg boxes not only benefit those in the community who receive them, they also allow Green Connect to keep local staff employed.
“We are a not-for-profit social enterprise and most of our employees are young people and former refugees, many of whom are doing it tough themselves,” Kylie said.
“The Illawarra community is always supportive of Green Connect and we’re so grateful.
“We’re also honoured to be in a position where we can coordinate help for people who need it most right now. As we’re hearing from the families receiving these boxes, a little bit of kindness goes a long way.”
