There are currently more than 30 requests posted to not-for-profit charity donation site GIVIT for assistance from First Nations people living in Greater Shepparton.
Among those 30 is a request for a tent for a recently widowed, sick, single mother-of-two.
This woman is facing homelessness, and is requesting the donation of a tent for her family to live in.
Another mother requests a voucher for groceries to feed herself and her baby, who are living in a caravan park.
The other 28 who have made requests face similar situations.
GIVIT is a charity organisation that takes requests for donations from the community, and lists them on its page for people to make donations.
All donations go directly to the people that lodged the requests, and donations can include fuel and food vouchers, furniture and other essential items.
To address high demand (in Greater Shepparton and across the state), GIVIT has launched its First Nations Appeal.
Data from GIVIT shows First Nations communities are disproportionately impacted by hardship based on requests for assistance through the platform.
First Nations Australians make up 25 per cent of individuals receiving support through GIVIT, a figure that is rising, according to national manager Christina Spehr.
“Despite making up approximately three per cent of Australia’s population, First Nations peoples represent a quarter of all donation requests through GIVIT,” Ms Spehr said.
First Nations recipients make up a third of requests on GIVIT for people experiencing domestic and family violence. They are also disproportionately represented in requests for disaster recovery assistance and support relating to mental health and illness.
GIVIT charity partner Killara Foundation co-ordinator Kylie Skew said the cost-of-living crisis had exacerbated challenges for First Nations people.
“If we can provide a fuel or food voucher then our clients have got that little bit of money spare to put towards something else,” Ms Skew said.
“Helping out with the small things can really take the pressure off.
“It’s important, more than ever, that Australians stand up and show up for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today and every day into the future.
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples don’t have the luxury of built-up generational wealth and I think it’s the responsibility of everybody to help close that gap and help everyone come onto a level field.”
To donate and support your local community, visit givit.org.au/first-nations-support and filter by location.
If you have an item to donate that is not listed, register the item on givit.org.au/donate-items
If you are a local charity or front-line service in need of donated goods and services, register at givit.org.au/charity-registration