2025 Christmas Appeal
We need your help more than ever this Christmas.
Overwhelming need in our community has led to an unprecedented surge in funding requests to the government. Unfortunately, available resources fall far short of demand, and now many vital services—including Anglicare—must rely solely on fundraising efforts to meet urgent needs.
In the last year, thanks to your generosity and valuable Commonwealth government funding, Anglicare provided emergency relief to over 15,500 individuals across regional NSW and the ACT, distributing more than 40,000 essential items. These were moments of real impact- made possible by supporters like you.
However, the demand for support in our community has reached critical levels, prompting a flood of appeals to government bodies. And the resources available simply can’t keep pace. As a result, our Emergency Relief teams are now depending entirely on fundraising to continue meeting urgent needs.
Your donation provides food, connection and hope to the 15,500 individuals that come to us in crisis. Each one of those individuals has a unique and compelling story.
Each one is worthy of our care.
Melissa’s Story
It was nearly a year ago, when Melissa* made her first visit to an Anglicare Emergency Relief Hub. The fear and embarrassment she felt that day still lingers.
“I felt so terrible”, she said. “I just didn’t understand how I had gotten to a place where I was asking for help to feed my girls. I had just worked an extra shift, and I was so exhausted. I didn’t know what else to do.”
A full-time aged care worker and a single mother to two young daughters, Melissa is no stranger to hard work—her days are spent caring for others, and her evenings are devoted to her girls. But last Christmas, Melissa found herself facing a crisis she never imagined.
A series of unexpected expenses had left her with growing debt, and she was at risk of losing her rental property.
“I just couldn’t keep up”, she said. “I was working as much as I could, but the rent, the childcare fees, keeping the car on the road—it was all piling up.”
Melissa came to the Hub hoping to get some groceries to tide her family over. What she found was more than food—it was dignity, compassion, and a community that welcomed her and her daughters with open arms.
“It was just before Christmas” recalls Anglicare staff member Shannon*. “The Hub was decorated and there was a children’s craft activity in the main room. We got the girls involved and I sat with Melissa to have a chat and see how we could help. She nearly cried when I asked if she wanted me to add her name to the list for receiving Christmas gifts for the girls.”
“That was just amazing,” said Melissa. “I wouldn’t have been able to get the girls anything last Christmas if it wasn’t for Anglicare”.
The team encouraged Melissa to come to the centre regularly, so she could prioritise rent and avoid losing her home. They connected her with our financial counselling team, who helped her manage her debt, apply for government benefits, and put strategies in place to strengthen her financial situation.
“I just couldn’t keep up. I was working as much as I could, but the rent, the childcare fees, keeping the car on the road—it was all piling up.”
Like many essential workers in Australia, aged-care workers like Melissa are disproportionately impacted by the housing crisis. The most recent Anglicare Australia Essential Workers Report showed that less than 2 percent of available properties were affordable for an aged care worker—meaning if Melissa lost her current rental, she would struggle to find another.
“Melissa worked so hard,” Shannon said. “She never asked for more than she needed. We just kept reminding her—‘You’re doing your best and the rest is what we’re here for.’”
By mid-year, Melissa no longer needed food relief. She had regained control of her finances and was feeling more confident. But she and her daughters still come to hub—not for groceries, but for connection.
“They love it here,” Melissa said. “It’s not just about getting help—it’s about being part of something, joining in the activities and knowing you’re welcome.”
In addition to gifts for the girls, Melissa received a Christmas hamper last year filled with special foods to brighten the season. This year, her daughters are making handmade Christmas cards to thank the Anglicare teams.
“I wanted them to have a way to say thank you for everything”, said Melissa.
At Christmas, our Emergency Relief Hubs see so many families like Melissa’s. There are older people on limited incomes, young people who feel unsafe going home, and essential workers who can’t afford housing in the communities they serve.
Melissa’s transformation is a testament to what compassion can do. Through the generosity of our supporters, we were able to offer her the care, connection and hope she needed in an uncertain time.
With government funding no longer available, we are relying on the generosity of people like you to keep our emergency relief services running. Every donation, every conversation, and every act of support helps us reach families like Melissa’s when they need it most. Thank you for giving what you can.