Amazon Australia teams up with Vinnies to expand meal services for Western Sydney communities

Amazon Australia is expanding support for Western Sydney communities through a new AUD $229,000 contribution to the St Vincent de Paul Society NSW’s Vinnies Vans program, delivering more meals, connection and critical support to those doing it tough.

The funding will ensure that Vinnies Vans can continue offering meals, a friendly chat, and vital connections to support services in Liverpool, Parramatta, Cumberland and Campbelltown, at a time when more people are reaching out for help.

Across New South Wales, Vinnies Vans are a lifeline for thousands of people. In the past year alone, dedicated volunteers supported more than 100,000 people through 13 Vans operating across Sydney, Wollongong, Newcastle, Coffs Harbour, Lismore, Wagga Wagga and Orange. 

The Greater Western Sydney Vinnies Vans assisted 8,975 people during the last year, including 289 referrals to services for additional support. Additionally, St Vincent de Paul Society NSW members supported 11,730 people across Greater Western Sydney, increasing by 3.5% on the past year.

“The Vinnies Vans are often the first point of contact for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, offering not only food and basic support, but also a friendly face and a connection to other services,” said Yolanda Saiz, St Vincent de Paul Society NSW CEO. 

“Right now, more people in Greater Western Sydney are reaching out for help. Thanks to Amazon’s generous support, we can continue to be there for people when they need it most,” said Ms Saiz.

The partnership between Vinnies and Amazon generated over AUD $3 million last financial year for vital community support programs through product donations to Vinnies retail stores. These contributions have strengthened Vinnies retail operations while funding essential services for vulnerable community members across New South Wales. 

Over the last four years, Amazon's volunteers nationwide has packed more than 4,000 backpacks with school supplies for disadvantaged students and regularly join Vinnies to prepare more than 3000 sandwiches and 2500 snack packs for food relief vans supporting those experiencing homelessness.

In times of crisis, this partnership becomes even more critical. Vinnies serves as Amazon's disaster relief partner, enabling rapid deployment of emergency supplies including toiletries, clean-up kits, and sleeping bags from Amazon's Disaster Relief Hubs directly to affected communities when Australians need help most. To date, Amazon has supported Vinnies through providing over 50,000 relief items to support communities through Covid outbreaks, floods and bushfires across Australia. 

“More than 3,000 of our team members live in Western Sydney, which is also home to Amazon’s biggest Robotics Fulfilment Centre in the Southern Hemisphere. Amazon Australia is proud to give back to the community and our ongoing partnership with the St Vincent de Paul Society NSW is one way we can make a meaningful difference,” said Janet Menzies, Amazon Australia Country Manager.”

“Together we’ve supported initiatives that provide practical help and connection for people doing it tough, and by funding the Vinnies Vans we’re helping ensure that people in Western Sydney can access crucial support when they need it most,” said Ms Menzies. 

The Hon Jason Clare MP, Minister for Education and Member for Blaxland, along with players from GWS Giants Netball, officially launched the new partnership with Vinnies NSW and Amazon Australia at a community event in Merrylands on Friday 31 October.

“Vinnies Vans don’t just deliver meals and blankets to people in need. They knit people and communities together. For a lot of people who rely on this service, a Vinnies volunteer may be the only person they speak to all day,” said Minister Clare.

“A hot meal or some companionship can completely change their day or their week. It’s great to see this support for Vinnies and their work here in our community and throughout Western Sydney,” said Mr Clare.

With the demand for help continuing to rise, partnerships like this ensure that Vinnies Vans can keep delivering meals, compassion and hope to people right across Western Sydney and beyond.

For more information on the Vinnies Vans services, visit www.vinnies.org.au/vinniesvans or call 13 18 12.