Christmas hampers handover 2024
16 December 2024
People experiencing homelessness in Victoria are given a helping hand in the lead up to Christmas.
St Peter’s Church in East Melbourne, Homeless Support Service and Anglicare Victoria distribute hampers of food and other amenities.
MPs and parliamentary staff placed donations under a Christmas tree in Queen’s Hall at Parliament House throughout December as part of the annual Christmas Appeal.
The items were delivered to St Mark’s Community Centre in Fitzroy, which provides a daily service to people experiencing homelessness.
‘We’re seeing more demand from people on the verge of homelessness due to cost-of-living, particularly cost-of-housing pressures,’ St Mark’s Community Centre Homeless Support Team Leader Jack Brookes said.
‘This year we’ve put together 150 Christmas hampers for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
‘We couldn’t have done that without the support of people like the Parliament of Victoria.’
Homelessness can be sleeping rough or in improvised accommodation, as well as moving from one temporary shelter to another.