Emergency kits donated by Amazon for bushfires

Supporting people affected by bushfires in Harcourt and the Bendigo region – Amazon Australia and St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria partnership delivers emergency kits.

This January, thousands of Victorians had to evacuate their homes across Victoria due to bushfires, including some St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria (the Society) members and employees.

While not first responders, the St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria plays an ongoing role of support to individuals and communities affected. 

As Victorians walk the long road to recovery, members of the Society will be by their side in the months and years to come as they rebuild and recover; offering the quiet, practical support and companionship that defines Vincentians. 

One example of this practical support came in a call out from St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria's State President Michael Quinn to our trusted, long term corporate partners Amazon Australia, whose disaster relief team answered the call.

Within days, Amazon Australia had delivered 240 hygiene kits, 100 adult toothbrushes, 100 kids’ toothbrushes, 96 clean up kits and 40 power banks to the Vinnies Shop in Bendigo, where they were made available to the individuals and families who had to evacuate, some who had lost their houses in the Harcourt fire.

With support from volunteers from the local St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria conference in Bendigo, the kits were distributed quickly and efficiently to those who needed them. 

Michael Quinn, State President of St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria said, “We can’t thank Amazon enough for helping out so quickly.”

St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria will continue to provide ongoing support to communities in need, long after the flashing lights fade and the media attention moves on. 

If you need welfare assistance, call St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria on 1800 305 330. This service is free and confidential.

Main picture: St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria volunteers at Vinnies Bendigo  ready to distribute Amazon donated emergency relief kits to people affected by the Harcourt bushfires.