GENEROUS RESPONSE: Homes NSW Senior Client Service Officer Cath Parmenter, Trainee Aboriginal Community Development Officer Caleb-Aaron Atkinson, and Homes NSW Senior Client Service Officer Aboriginal Specialist Bronwyn Lyons help prepare more than 300 hampers.

Community

Still time to donate to the Library Christmas Food Appeal

Published: 06 Jan 2025 10:13am

There’s still time for the community to donate to Wagga Wagga City Library’s Christmas Food Appeal.

For more than 16 years, residents have donated to the Appeal helping families experiencing difficulties over Christmas and the new year.

Council’s Manager Library Services Christine Bolton said the Appeal has already seen generous donations from the local community.

“This year we’re partnering with Argyle Housing and a variety of local organisations and businesses, with all donated items distributed to those in need via the Kooringal, Tolland and Ashmont Community Hubs,” Ms Bolton said.

“The appeal is just one of the many community initiatives the library engages in. We are proud to support our local community in collaboration with other partner agencies, including Mission Australia, Riv Med, Anglicare, Youth Justice NSW and Homes NSW.”

Council’s Youth and Community Development Officer, Mel Fattore participated in the distribution of donated items on Thursday 2 January.

“All items donated through the first few weeks of the Appeal contributed to the making of over 300 family hampers,” Ms Fattore said.

“The hampers were distributed from local community centres and hubs assisting 120 households in Tolland, 96 households in Kooringal, and 70 households in Ashmont.”

Xmas tree at library for food appeal, 2024-25. — **LIBRARY CHRISTMAS TREE:** There’s still time to donate to the Appeal, especially household staples.

Ms Bolton said that although Christmas is over, there are still many families struggling with the costs of holidays before the start of the school term.

“If you have not yet donated, you can still drop off items until 4pm Friday 10 January,” Ms Bolton said.

“On your next grocery shop you could add a few extra items in the basket or clean out your pantry and donate anything still well within its use-by date.”

Household staples are particularly needed, including canned food, rice and pasta, flour, breakfast cereals and spreads, baby needs, toiletries, feminine products and long-life milk.

Donations can be handed in at the library located at the Civic Centre or with any of the Agile Library sites in suburban and rural villages across the Wagga Wagga Local Government Area.