The rubber hits the road in Wagga with Vinnies 13th outreach van

It started with 40 meals and a boot full of toiletry kits. But for the people of Wagga Wagga, it means so much more.

Vinnies’ Van Coordinator Kylie Haran says the service is for anyone.

The St Vincent de Paul Society’s 13th Vinnies Van hit the streets of the regional city in March, marking the launch of a new regular outreach bringing free food, hot drinks, essentials and referrals to those doing it tough.

“Most importantly we offer connections,” Van Coordinator Kylie Haran said. “Anyone that is feeling socially excluded or just needs a chat can connect with us. And anyone can approach the van.”

The milestone comes as homelessness and hardship continue to rise across regional New South Wales. In Wagga alone, Vinnies supported close to 2,000 people last financial year, with around four in five requesting help with food.

The van is not only for those sleeping rough, but for anyone struggling. In a city where need can be invisible, the van goes looking for it.

Vinnies Vans bring free food, hot drinks, essential items, and referrals to those doing it tough.

In the 2024 financial year, the 12 existing Vinnies Vans assisted around 115,000 people across NSW, delivering more than 230,000 meals, 42,500 snack packs and 64,000 toiletry packs. The Wagga Van extends that reach deep into regional Australia, where demand is growing and services are thin.

“A lot of the time people that are struggling don’t want to say it out loud,” Ms Haran said. “The van is for anyone who wants to visit, even if it’s just for a chat.”

The van was made possible with the generous support of the PAYCE Foundation, which had previously donated two vans valued at more than $300,000 to the program and contributed a further $30,000 toward the Wagga service.

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

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