PAYCE Foundation steps up with Wagga Vinnies Van donation

The PAYCE Foundation has extended its support for those struggling to make ends meet – donating $144,000 to a dedicated Vinnies Van for the regional city of Wagga.

The Vinnies Vans play a critical role in bringing help to where it is needed with food, clothing, connection and referrals to support services.

PAYCE Foundation Director Talal Ghattas said the service had a proven track record of assisting people who were living on the margins.

“The PAYCE Foundation has partnered with Vinnies on the Van project because it brings help to where it is most needed,” he said.

“We understand that need is not just confined to the big cities, with many regional cities grappling with rising demand.

“The mobile service gives people the opportunity to seek help in a relaxing environment where further support services can be offered.

“This donation will also help build the capacity of a service that delivers sustainable social service outcomes.”

The new van is the 13th operated by the St Vincent de Paul Society across NSW.

Vinnies NSW chief executive Yolanda Saiz said every Vinnies centre across the state was experiencing demand for more services, and the van was a much-needed service in Wagga.

“We’re trying to have a good footprint of our vans across NSW, and as a large regional centre there is a great need here in Wagga,” Ms Saiz said.

She said the other 12 vans across the state have had a “significant impact” in communities across the state.

“Last year, our vans assisted about 115,000 people across NSW,” she said.

“But what is most important, these people often are isolated, they’re experiencing loneliness, often they [Vinnies staff members] are the only people they talk to the whole day.”

Over the last financial year, Vinnies has provided 230,000 meals, 42,500 snack packs and 64,000 toiletries packs.

However, the regional director for the Saint Vincent de Paul Society in NSW, Solange Frost, said that although Vinnies was providing massive support, communities and the government can assist to help meet the demand.

“I think what we see in Wagga is replicated in a lot of rural and regional towns across Australia,” Ms Frost said.

“We know that there are some fundamental things that need to happen to fix these problems, one is the need to increase the rate of income support payments.

“We know that the current rates of job seekers are keeping people living in poverty.”

The van will not only be for those who are experiencing homelessness, but also those who are struggling due to the cost of living.

NSW Vinnies Van manager Josie Charbel said the vans were a way of bringing the community together.

“We are going to places hard to reach, communities that actually truly need the support more than just food,” Ms Charbel said.

“It brings the community a sense of belonging but an opportunity for people who are struggling due to the cost of living,” Ms Charbel said.

“People who are in an unaffordable housing market, people who are struggling to pay their utility bills, to have that relief and be seen and heard.”

As the demand for those services grow, Ms Charbel encouraged community members to volunteer and show support.

The van will be travelling through Wagga and its surrounding areas, depending on the needs.

Those who are interested in volunteering can do so by visiting Vinnies website.