Not-for-profit donation platform GIVIT has provided almost 45,000 essential items and services to those impacted by the flooding in Victoria last year.
In the six months since the devastating floods hit parts of Victoria, GIVIT has been working with more than 40 organisations, including local councils, outreach teams, charities and community groups, to manage offers of donated goods, services, volunteering and funds.
GIVIT chief executive Sarah Tennant said many people were still displaced six months on from the flooding disaster.
“This is a long-term recovery for so many people, and we know that we will be working with some of these communities for years,” she said.
Shepparton was particularly impacted by the floods, and many residents are still displaced or in temporary accommodation.
GIVIT said it had been supplying groceries to food distribution charities in the area to assist the community in its recovery.
“GIVIT was working with an organisation in Mooroopna who identified six families from the local primary school who were heavily impacted by the floods,” Ms Tennant said.
“These families were struggling to find temporary accommodation after they lost their homes and were unable to afford food and essentials in the lead-up to Christmas.”
Ms Tennant said GIVIT, thanks to its donors, was able to provide Christmas presents for all of the children, as well as grocery and fuel vouchers to help the families.
Ms Tennant said initially the focus was on supplying emergency supplies, such as grocery and fuel vouchers, but six months on more was needed to get residents back in their homes.
“Early in a disaster the needs of communities are urgent, as people may have escaped damaged or unsafe properties and are staying in an evacuation centre or with friends,” she said.
“As people begin to move back into damaged homes, needs evolve, and that’s when we see requests for things like generators, cleaning materials and building tools. Later in the recovery furniture, kitchen items and white goods are required.”
To find out how you can help, visit givit.org.au