When local resident Molly Patton recently found out that the Vinnies food bank was running low, she went out and did something to ensure this very important community service was not lost.
“I took it upon myself to raise funds to purchase food to fill it back up,” Molly said.
“It was my goal to raise the profile of St Vincent de Paul and the importance of donations to make it possible for families who need to access the service of the food room possible.
“We can all fall on hard times due to relationship breakdown, loss of work, domestic violence, addictions and illness and also mental health issues.
“Every person should have access to the basic necessities in life such as food,” she said.
“To my way of thinking it’s a privilege to lend a hand to people in need, and there is a lot of need around.
“I stepped out of my comfort zone by asking business people that I know to help fellow friends in the community who are suffering due to various reasons.”
Molly said she received very generous donations totalling $1,650 from Gumnut Gifts & Homewares and Jemrok and also a very large donation from a benefactor who wished to remain anonymous.
“I have been overwhelmed by the generosity of the businesses I approached.
“With their support, many people in the Cobar community will receive the help they need,” Molly said.
Vinnies volunteer helper Patricia Pratt said Molly’s donation comes at a very crucial time as their food bank had run low.
“It’s really important to have a good supply at this time of the year because families are receiving their mid winter power bills.
She said as power bills keep continuing to rise, families are finding it harder and harder
to make ends meet and to put food on their tables.
If any needy families would like to access the service Patricia said they can drop into the Vinnies store and have a chat to the staff.
She said to apply for assistance, people will need a Centrelink statement and answer a few questions about their situation.
“We give them whatever we can to help them.
“We’re always thinking about the children,” Patricia said.
She said depending upon a family’s circumstances, Vinnies can help needy families in a variety of ways with food, clothing, power vouchers and help with accommodation.
“I would ask all people of Cobar to think about how they can help in any way to ensure the food room stays full all year round,” Molly said.
