Two years after launching their appeal supporting NSW communities gripped by Australia’s most severe ongoing drought conditions in living memory, online charity Givit is reflecting on coordinating $650,000 (and counting!) in donated funds and over 140,000 items to help households in need.
Since September 2018, GIVIT’s Drought Appeal has spent 100% of donated funds with businesses and suppliers in drought-affected areas, providing vital items for over 800 charities across the state and directly supporting at least 12,000 regional families and individuals.
GIVIT NSW Manager, and talisman for the charity’s Drought Relief activities, Scott Barrett said he has experienced first-hand how challenging the drought has been on regional NSW communities.
“Throughout this drought, too many people have been making the heartbreaking decision to either feed themselves or their stock, and often they’re the ones going hungry,” said Barrett. “People are going without staple and everyday items as they, sadly, just can’t afford them – such as fresh food, a pair of sturdy boots or working jacket without holes, and school stationery.”
To give simple donations like grocery, fuel and clothing vouchers makes their everyday financial decisions so much easier, and means they can purchase what they need as well as keep their stock alive and livelihoods sustainable until the drought breaks.
“It’s not just farmers hurting, but entire communities and their economies are struggling. So it’s been great to buy these life-changing items locally. If we can put a bit more money into the local shops they can play a part in making sure communities survive and prosper into the future,” Barrett said.
“It’s really nice to know that someone I have never met is thinking about us.” – Grade 5 student at Menindee Central School.
“You donated in 15 minutes what would take us over 18 months to fundraise! Your kind generosity means our Centre now has new furniture and new resources which we otherwise couldn’t have afforded. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.” – Carolyn Davis from Manildra Preschool
“GIVIT has such an amazing philosophy that is imperative in these small towns, helping locals with vouchers, injecting the local businesses with cash flow and the unseen contribution that I have seen so much of after your visit – the lift in the morale of so many locals!” – Tania Lampe, Molong Hospital Auxiliary
As official drought charity partner of the NSW Government, GIVIT works with on-ground groups to best coordinate donations for people facing hardship, exacerbated in many areas by bushfires.
GIVIT’s NSW Bushfires Appeal has coordinated 120,000 donated items for affected towns, from groceries and underwear to water filter kits and shipping containers-turned-classrooms.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro said he was delighted so many items across the state have been delivered by the NSW Government through its partnership with GIVIT.
GIVIT captures and coordinates all offers of goods, funds, volunteering and services online, removing the burden on organisations to collect, sort, store and dispose of donations they don’t need.
GIVIT makes sure people get what they need when they need it most – whether recovering from a disaster event, or experiencing hardship due to circumstances such as drought, domestic and family violence, homelessness, disability and mental health. 100% of donated funds GIVIT receives are used to purchase items for people in need.
PPG General Manager, Architectural Coatings, Australia and New Zealand, Anne Neeson said PPG is thrilled to have raised an incredible $155,000 in donations for GIVIT to support their Drought Appeal and other relief efforts through the Taubmans ‘In it Together’ campaign.
“While we’re all faced with the challenges of the pandemic, it’s so important not to lose sight of the extra support that communities in drought urgently need. Our heartfelt thanks goes out to all the DIYers and professional painters who supported this donation by choosing to paint with Taubmans. We also thank Bunnings, Bristol and our independent retail partners who came on board to make the fundraiser possible,” said Neeson.
Barrett encouraged all charities, schools, councils and community groups to register for free to access thousands of wonderful donations offered by generous individuals and corporates for the people and communities they’re supporting.