Vinnies Victoria

Vinnies Gift Cards hold so much more meaning than you might realise. 💙 Beyond just clothing, they offer people the chance to rebuild their identity and sense of self. This past year alone, we provided $761,601 in gift cards, giving people in need the freedom to choose the clothes and new items like socks and bedding that make them feel like themselves again. Your support can bring dignity and hope to people facing hardship during this difficult season. Donate to our Christmas Appeal and help make a meaningful difference in someone’s life when they need it most. ➡️ https://bit.ly/3UyblJQ 🙏

🎄 Did You Know $72 is all it takes to bring hope this Christmas? A $72 donation provides urgent, immediate assistance to a vulnerable family this Christmas. 🍽️ Your generosity can provide an emergency Christmas food hamper filled with essential food, giving a family pushed to the edge the chance to share a meal and feel the warmth of the season. More donations are urgently needed to ensure we can provide this vital assistance to individuals and families in Victoria who need it most during the holiday season. 💙 Will you be the reason someone feels joy and hope this Christmas? 👉 Donate here: https://bit.ly/3Z17hDp

🎄 This Christmas, the team at IGA Australia came together to make a difference through a toy drive at their new warehouse. The toy drive was spurred on by an employee’s personal story she shared with the IGA team about the support she received from Vinnies when she was young – especially during Christmas time.💙 This inspired them to return the favour to Victorians in need and create some magic this Christmas.✨🎅 Thanks to their generosity, an incredible 129 gifts for all age groups and genders were collected! 🎁🎉 These gifts will be distributed to Vinnies' conferences, with any extras being saved for birthdays throughout the year. Thank you, IGA, for showing the true spirit of Christmas and spreading joy far and wide. 🌟❤️ #ToyDrive #ChristmasJoy #GivingBack #VinniesSupport #CommunityLove

🙏 Thank You, Motorola Solutions Australia! A huge shoutout to Jan and her amazing team at Motorola Solutions Australia for their incredible generosity this Christmas! 🌟 Every year, they go above and beyond to collect much-needed food donations for our Vinnies Soup Vans, and this year was no exception. Thanks to their efforts, we’ll be able to provide meals not just during the festive season, but well into the weeks ahead. Your support is a lifeline for so many in our community. From all of us at Vinnies, thank you for making such a meaningful difference. 💙 Together, we’re bringing hope and kindness to people who need it most. #ThankYou #MotorolaSolutions #VinniesSoupVans 🚐 #CommunitySupport #ChristmasGiving

Last week, a dedicated team of volunteers came together at our Kensington Hub with a shared mission: to pack Christmas hampers filled with care, compassion and festive cheer. Each hamper was carefully prepared with a mix of Christmas food items and essential toiletries, ensuring they bring comfort and joy to families in need this season. This incredible effort was made possible thanks to contributions from Foodbank Victoria and Pinchapoo Australia, whose generosity and collaboration are at the heart of this initiative. We were also touched by the support of students and families from Our Lady Of Sion College and Xavier College. Through their annual Christmas collections, they generously donated additional goodies to help make the season a little brighter for those doing it tough. To our volunteers, partners and supporters – thank you for being the driving force behind this act of kindness. Your efforts embody the true spirit of Christmas and remind us of the incredible things we can achieve when we work together. As these hampers are delivered to families across our community, they will carry not only practical support but also a powerful message of hope, compassion and belonging.

Right now, countless families are facing impossible choices—choosing between meals, medication, or a roof over their heads. When Tania left her abusive relationship, she found herself alone, struggling to care for her three children. The soaring cost of living pushed her to the brink, forcing her to skip meals and sacrifice her own needs. Through Vinnies, Tania received critical support: food hampers, help with bills, and emotional care that gave her hope when she needed it most. As she puts it: "It’s like I’m family, and the community has taken me under their wing. Thank you for bringing joy and love to a family who went without because that's life." This Christmas, more families like Tania’s are counting on your generosity. Your support provides: 🍏 Emergency food hampers 🧾 Help with basic living essentials like bills and medical expenses 🏠 Rental support to keep families in their homes over Christmas and beyond 👉 Please donate now to give families hope and stability this Christmas: https://bit.ly/3Z17hDp

Thank you, Victorian schools for your support! 🌟 This winter, schools across Victoria stepped up to make a difference by donating over 500 rough sleeper packs for Vinnies soup vans, valued at more than $6,000. 💙 Each pack, thoughtfully prepared by Mini Vinnies, included essentials like a carry bag, spoon, water bottle, Up & Go, fruit cup, cheese and crackers, protein bar, baked beans and a treat, helping support Victorians experiencing homelessness. Our Soup Van volunteers complete the packs with fresh sandwiches and fruit before distributing them to rough sleepers. 🥪🍎 Aldo, one of our Soup Van Coordinators, shared that these packs make a significant impact on those we serve. This project has been more than just an act of generosity - it’s been a meaningful learning experience for students allowing them to gain deeper understanding and empathy to those experiencing struggles such as homelessness. 🙌 Thank you to the dedicated Mini Vinnies for spreading kindness and making a real difference! 💙 Images have been captured by schools and published on a public forum with full permission granted for use by SVDP #CommunitySupport #MiniVinnies #RoughSleeperPacks

This is true kindness in action. 🤜💙🤛 On December 3 we had Steve McGhie, Member for Melton, join our Melton Soup Van team. Steve has supported our efforts by raising funds and printing flyers for our services since we started in December 2022. 🚐🥣🍲 During the visit, Steve helped serve food and talked with the 47 companions we assisted that night. 🥄 At our second Melton stop, a community member asked if we accepted donations, then kindly purchased and donated needed items after inquiring about how to help. 🥫 We're incredibly grateful for the continued support from our representatives and community members. Thank you, Steve, for showing your support at our Melton Soup Van and thank you to the community member who generously donated grocery items. Your support helps us make a difference to so many people. 🍽️ #FeelGoodFriday #VinniesSoupVan #Melton #CommunitySupport #Volunteering #FeedingTheCommunity #GivingBack

This Christmas many parents will go without food so their children can eat – here’s how YOU can help 👇 By donating just $72, you can give an emergency Christmas food hamper to a family in beyond breaking point. Share the joy of Christmas by giving the gift of pantry staples to those who need it most. Your support means families don’t need to worry about putting food on the table and instead are able to share a Christmas meal with their loved ones. 🎁💙Please donate today and help a family get back on their feet this Christmas: https://bit.ly/3Z17hDp

🌟 Inspiring kindness through a kindergarten toiletry drive 💙 Meet Julia Marcus, a passionate member of our Epping Conference who is spreading kindness and hope through a heartfelt initiative - a toiletry drive at Future Super Stars Early Learning Centre Epping🌟 Julia’s journey with Vinnies began as a university volunteer and continues to shine as she leads this incredible initiative. With her youngest son’s kindergarten on board, the Epping community has rallied together to collect essential toiletries such as nappies, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothbrushes, toothpaste and hair accessories. These items may seem small, but they make a big difference to families struggling to make ends meet. 🧴🪥 “The kids absolutely love it, it’s wonderful to see their excitement and to plant the seed of kindness at such a young age. When kids are inspired, it often encourages adults to get involved too, creating a ripple effect of generosity in the community.” Julia shared. This drive is more than donations; it’s about fostering compassion, raising awareness, and building a stronger, more caring community. And Julia’s advice? “Just do it. Involving the next generation in acts of kindness is a beautiful thing.” 💛 👏 Thank you, Julia and the Future Super Stars Kindergarten community, for spreading kindness and inspiring us all! Every donation - nappies, shampoo, toothpaste - makes a big difference to someone in need. 💕 #VinniesGoodWorks #KindnessMatters #CommunityLove #InspiringGenerations #MakingADifference!