As the COVID-19 situation continues to intensify here in Victoria, the St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria (Vinnies Victoria) has been closely monitoring the situation by tracking advice from the World Health Organisation (WHO), and the Commonwealth and the State Government. 

Important resources:

As it has since its inception in Australia in 1854, Vinnies remains committed to its mission of assisting the most vulnerable within our communities during this challenging time. 

Changes to our current works are:

Conference Home Visits
STATUS:   SERVICE OPEN
  CHANGES TO OPERATION

 

  • Our members and volunteers are adapting the provision of this essential service and will no longer be entering homes.

  • Phone interviews will be conducted and subsequently arrange how to best assist, for example, leaving a food parcel/food vouchers outside the premises (in an agreed secure location). Vinnies will endeavour to keep our services going to people in need during this critical time.

Vinnies Soup Vans
STATUS:   CHANGES TO OPERATION  CALL (MON-FRI 10AM- 3PM):    1800 305 330
  ALL SOUP VAN RUNS   SUSPENDED
    Berwick Soup Van  
    Collingwood Soup Van  
    Dandenong Soup Van  
    Endeavour Hills Soup Van  
    Fitzroy Soup Van  
    Footscray Soup Van  
    Moe Soup Van  
    Rosebud Soup Van  
    Traralgon Soup Van  

 

We are still here – but due to the government’s COVID-19 health directive to limit social contact, Vinnies Victoria must respond by changing the way we operate our service to reduce the risk to people we assist and our volunteers. So we have come up with a temporary new way to get food out to our friends who normally use the Vinnies Soup Van services.

If you are looking for assistance with food, a designated call centre has been established to take your calls. Over the phone, we will determine your situation and make a personal arrangement of how we can reach you with these essentials. 

Examples of the support we can offer include food hampers for individuals and families, and food parcels for those with little or no cooking facilities.

Vinnies Welfare Assistance Line is 1800 305 330 (Monday–Friday 10:00am to 3:00pm).

This decision to temporarily adapt our services this way is not one that Vinnies Victoria has taken lightly, but everyone’s safety is paramount in our minds. We are determined to do all we can to provide support to the people who rely on this vital service.

Rest assured, that once this crisis is over, our Vannies will be back on the streets with their trademark soup and a smile.

Vinnies Shops
STATUS:   SERVICE OPEN    
  CHANGES TO OPERATION    
  NEW SHOP HOURS   10:00AM - 4:00PM
  NEW WEEKEND HOURS   Saturdays - 10:00AM - 4:00PM
  SHOP CLOSURES    
  Alfredton   Altona North
  Aarat   Ashburton
  Bairnsdale   Ballarat
  Bayswater   Bentleigh East
  Briar Hill   Burnt Bridge
  Campbellfield   Camperdown
  Casterton   Castlemaine
  Clayton   Colac
  Collingwood   Cowes
  Dareton   Daylesford
  Eaglehawk   Elsternwick
  Ferntree Gully   Frankston
  Geelong West   Grovedale
  Hamilton   Hamlyn Heights
  Heidelberg   Kangaroo Flat
  Kerang   Kilmore
  Korumburra   Kyabram
  Lilydale   Maryborough
  Mentone   Mont Albert
  Moorabin   Mooroopna
  Mornington   Mornington/Tyabb
  Morwell   Niddrie
  Norlane   Numurkah
  Ocean Grove   Pakenham
  Preston   Queenscliff
  Reservoir   Sale
  Seaford   Springvale
  St Albans   St Arnaud
  South Morang   Sunshire
  Swan Hill   Tatura
  Thomastown   Thornbury
  Warburton   Warrnambool

 

  • The majority of our shops remain open, however this is subject to any local circumstances changing.
  • Vinnies Shops in Victoria have currently suspended receiving public material donations.
  • Home collection of goods is temporarily stopped. 
  • Increased hygiene proficiency practices are in place, including provision of industrial strength hand wash being provided to all shops.

Remember that it is through the generous donation of goods and finances that we are able to provide our services.  We do not receive any government financial assistance. Our aim is to continue to keep our Vinnies Shops open as much as possible.

Welfare Call Centres
STATUS:   SERVICE OPEN

 

  • Welfare calls will continue to be taken but a greater waiting time might be experienced. 
  • Health questions will be asked at the time of the call.
Education Services
STATUS:   TEMPORARY HALTING
  OF ALL EDUCATION SERVICES

 

  • This will be in place until 20 April when we will consider government and medical advice to determine whether we can reopen the programs or extend the closure period.

Youth Services
STATUS:   TEMPORARY HALTING AND
  STOPPING OF SOME SERVICES

 

  • Temporary on hold: Teen Camps and Kids Day Out.
  • Cancelled:  College Open Day (scheduled for May), Roadshow.
Vinnies NILS (No Interest Loan Scheme)
STATUS:   OPEN

 

  • Telephone interviews

Assistance Services
STATUS:   SERVICE OPEN
  CHANGES TO OPERATION

 

  • Interviews are to be arranged on an appointment-only basis.
Prison Visitation
STATUS:   TEMPORARY HALTING AND
  STOPPING OF SOME SERVICES

 

  • Prison face-to-face visits to cease.
Vinnies CEO Sleepout
STATUS:   EVENT CHANGES

 

  • We have communicated with all previous and interested participants that we are hoping to operate the event but also developing potential alternative engagement event on a national level. We will communicate with all registrants about any alternative arrangements that will need to be made.