Evidence from a leading charity that the rate of financial hardship along the Far South Coast is growing.
The St Vincent De Paul Society is moving to make it easier to access support with the opening today of a new community hub in Merimbula.
Vinnies CEO Lucy Hohnen said the change has been occurring over the past three years.
“We’ve seen over 2000 households in the region and we can see year old year the demand is increasing for our assistance,” she said.
“So most people are coming to Vinnies now for food. 65% of people who approach us are coming for food.
“They also receive help to pay medical bills, for fuel and other household utilities costs. what we’re seeing too is many people who’ve never approached a charity before.
“Over the three years in the Bega Valley spoken with nearly 800 households and for Eurobodalla it’s about 1300 households so that’s a lot of people experiencing touch times in the community.”
The new Vinnies Community Hub at 82 Main Street Merimbula will provide a dedicated space for Vinnies’ volunteer members to continue their person-to-person assistance for people experiencing hardship, as well as offices for the Regional Support Leader and Case Worker.
It will also serve as a shared base for interagency collaboration, offering wrap-around services to better meet the needs of the local community.
“This new Community Hub represents a significant step forward in our mission to serve the people of the Far South Coast,” Ms Hohnen said.
“By strengthening our local presence, we can deliver more coordinated, compassionate, and effective assistance to individuals and families doing it tough,” she said.
The establishment of the Hub was made possible through funding from the NSW Government and proceeds raised by the 2024 Vinnies CEO Sleepout held in Merimbula.
