When Bendigo Bank put the call out for its annual blanket drive it hoped the community would get involved.
But it could not have predicted the generosity of the Rose City with more than 200 blankets donated — many brand new.
With the cold weather setting in, cost-of-living pressures are affecting people at a rate rarely seen in recent history.
While in years gone by the blanket drive would assist the homeless, and those experiencing extreme financial hardships, this year there are an array of people who are struggling to keep warm — from families, to the elderly, small children and everyone in between.
Waminda House manager Leeane Bullard said she was pleasantly surprised to find out so many blankets had been donated.
“We had 170 dropped off at Bendigo Bank and around 30 left with us here at Waminda,” Ms Bullard said.
“There’s some beautiful woollen blankets, hand-made quilts and some thermal blankets.
“It’s surprising to me how many families don’t have warmth this winter.
“And not just in Benalla. We’ve had people come in from Lima, Swanpool and across the district looking for blankets.”
Ms Bullard said she was continually shocked by the generosity of the local community.
“This wouldn’t have happened without Kelly and her team at Bendigo Bank, they’ve done an amazing job,” she said.
Bendigo Bank’s Kelly Cooney led the initiative and said as a community bank it always did its part to try and help its community.
“Something like this you might think it’s nothing major, but it is to people who can’t afford to stay warm,” Ms Cooney said.
“We have been overwhelmed by the amount of donations, and the generosity people have shown.”
The blankets are available for anyone in the community who needs one. Simply pop along to Waminda Community house after 11am on Thursday, June 8, and you can pick one, or more, up no questions asked.
It’s not about judgement, it’s about keeping Benalla warm this winter.