Love your neighbour today.
Anglicare’s Emergency Relief Hubs witness the challenges facing people in our communities every day, from pensioners and single parents to families experiencing unexpected hardship.
They also see the profound impact that practical support can have. A favourite treat in a food hamper can restore a sense of dignity and comfort. The relief of knowing there is enough food for the week can ease overwhelming stress. And for some, a helping hand during a difficult time becomes the first step towards stability, connection and hope.
By providing food, clothing and essential items, Anglicare’s Emergency Relief teams help people navigate crisis while reminding them they are not alone.
Operating across the South Coast, Capital Region and Riverina, Anglicare’s Emergency Relief Hubs respond to immediate community need while helping people build a pathway forward.
These are just a few stories of the impact they make every day.
Queanbeyan:
A Helping Hand Up
Anglicare’s Emergency Relief Hub in Queanbeyan is co-located within one of our Anglicare Retail Op shops. In addition to supporting those in crisis with food and essentials, the service operates Food Fair, a member-based program that provides eligible community members access to significantly reduced groceries.
For single mother Emily*, Queanbeyan’s combination of services provided just the hand-up she needed. With four young children, including one under 12 months, Emily experienced a delay in her Centrelink payments. It was the middle of winter. She needed to reconnect her heating, and keep a roof over her family’s head, but she wasn’t sure how she would manage.
The Queanbeyan team stepped in immediately, providing food and essentials for the family, including blankets, warm jackets and winter clothing from the retail shop. Not wanting to become reliant on the pantry, Emily was thrilled with the option of becoming a Food Fair member—knowing she could consistently purchase fresh fruit and vegetables, meat and other items to keep her family healthy and well-nourished.
After six months, Emily is feeling much more hopeful about the future. Access to cheaper groceries has allowed her to start saving, giving her peace of mind that she will be able to handle any emergencies that arise.
Come behind the scenes and see Queanbeyan Food Fair in action.
“I would not be where I am today without the Ashmont Centre”
The Riverina:
Connection at Every Stage
The food pantry at Anglicare’s Ashmont Community Resource Centre is missing one thing: judgement. Our volunteers work alongside participants, helping create a welcoming and respectful experience that goes beyond the provision of food. The ACRC’s food pantry feels like stopping by a family member’s house for a meal.
This community spirit is intentional and is sustained by the multiple connection points provided by the centre. From early learning and parenting programs, to Indigenous Elders groups, community meals and service referrals—the team builds relationships with families and individuals through various phases of life, learning how they can best support them at each stage and ensuring they always feel welcome.
For Sonja*, the centre has helped her transition from someone in need of support, to a participant, and ultimately to securing her first job. As a teenager, her family came to the centre for community lunches and to access the food pantry. Later, when she became a mother, she returned to the centre to access a parenting program—which later turned into a role as a tutor, assisting other participants. With that experience, she is now enrolled in a teaching course, looking to make more of a difference in the community. “I would not be where I am today without the Ashmont Centre”, she said.
