MEDIA RELEASE 11 March 2010
WELFARE REQUESTS DOUBLE IN A MONTH The St Vincent de Paul Society’s Osborne Park Clothing and Furniture Depot has reported a 100% increase in the amount of material aid being distributed to the WA community leaving the warehouse stock levels completely empty. “Almost $30,000 worth of material welfare assistance was distributed to West Australians in need in January 2010 but that figure skyrocketed in February with a total of $63,000 worth of welfare being distributed,” Lucinda Ardagh, Media Spokesperson for the St Vincent de Paul Society WA says. The welfare assistance distributed by the Depot comes in the form of mattresses, beds, bedding, wardrobes, crockery, pots and pans, tables and chairs and other general household items. “The Depot has experienced a decline in the amount of in-kind donations being received but a drastic increase in the amount of requests for welfare assistance. The Depot used to have three sea containers full of beds and mattresses, which are now all completely empty,” Lucinda says. “The beginning of each year is traditionally a particularly hard time for those already struggling to make ends meet as the expensive festive season and back-to-school expenses start to catch up. We’re seeing many families move into rental properties who have absolutely no furniture and require enough goods to fill a whole home,” she says. The St Vincent de Paul Society is calling on the WA community to donate household items to respond to this demand so that every genuine request for assistance can be responded to. The following items are needed urgently: mattresses (not stained, soiled or torn), bedding, tables and chairs, wardrobes, pots and pans and crockery. Donations can be received at the Osborne Park Depot at 59 Edward Street, Osborne Park or pick-ups can be arranged by phoning 9444 5622. The St Vincent de Paul Society is WA’s largest charity providing a helping hand to over 175,000 West Australians in the last financial year with food assistance, material goods, shelter, friendship and support.
For further information about the Society phone (08) 9475 5400 or log on to www.vinnies.org.au To donate to the Society call 13 18 12 or for welfare assistance call 1300 794 054. All Media Enquiries: Communications Coordinator: Deana Tesoriero (08) 9475 5426 or 0404 086 054 Media Spokesperson: Lucinda Ardagh (08) 9475 5427 or 0403 322 238