Stepping up in a time of need

Linda is there for her grandchildren. Now, Vinnies is there for her.

Linda sees the time she spends with her young grandchildren as a gift.

Grandson Jack is bright for his age and enjoys English at school. Granddaughter Evie is curious about the world and puts that trait to use through a love of drawing.

Linda has learnt this and much more after taking on the responsibility of looking after her grandchildren for more than a year.

Stepping up in a time of need while her daughter attends to numerous health and personal matters, Linda spends her days striving to give her grandchildren a stable and loving place to live.

By night, she regularly lays awake in the grips of uncertainty. Will there be enough to cover the cost of groceries? What will Jack and Evie have to miss out on?

Managing to keep her head slightly above water on a modest pension and supplementing her income teaching English when time permits during the week, the rising cost of living means everything has gone up except for her income.

Once rent, utilities and commuting Jack and Evie to school are covered, there is very little left to cover unexpected expenses – let alone buy treats for her grandchildren.

Linda also requires medication for her hypertension and the cost of skin cream to treat Evie’s eczema is another essential expense.

In the face of these choices, there has been a source of respite for Linda in the form of the Vinnies Vans.

Coming into contact with the service through a referral at a Vinnies Shop, Linda was initially hesitant to seek support but was soon put at ease.

“I saw how many people from all walks of life and all ages were there with us,” says Linda.

“That made me feel at ease, and the volunteers are always friendly and non-judgmental.”

Linda’s experience is shared by more than 100,000 people who have been supported by our Vinnies Vans across NSW during the last financial year.

Vinnies Vans provide much more than a meal for people in need. They act as a welcoming space for connection and referrals to other services that can meet people’s needs.

More than 95,000 meals were served as part of day and night-time services to 102,000 people. Additionally, 75,000 snack packs and 10,000 toiletries packs were distributed as part of the services offered by our Vinnies Vans.

The Vinnies Vans also provides Linda with a social reprieve where she can “cherish having “adult” conversations after spending day and night with the kids.”

Jack and Evie enjoy having a hot chocolate on the nights they visit and get extra sandwiches that they can bring to school for lunch the following day.

The support provided by Vinnies has helped to ease the load for Linda and her grandchildren. She is able to breathe easier knowing her loved ones are safe and can call upon the support of the Vinnies Vans.

“Vinnies has been incredibly helpful. You give us so much more than just food. You warm our hearts. Thanks for supporting our little family and making a real difference in our lives.”

Linda has been there in a time of need for her grandchildren. Thanks to your generosity, Vinnies is able to be there for her.

Through your donation and belief in our work, we have been able to provide Linda with food and a sense of connection when she’s needed it most.

There are so many people like Linda who depend upon services like our Vinnies Vans. By making a contribution to the Vinnies Autumn Appeal, you are not only supporting Linda and her grandchildren today, but ensuring we can be there for others facing similar challenges tomorrow.

Please give generously to support the Vinnies Autumn Appeal today.