By Corey Everitt
The Bless Collective is gearing up to ensure no one misses out this Christmas, with a grant coming from the Cardinia Foundation which is sure to spread the Christmas spirit far and wide.
The Cardinia Foundation this week unveiled their recipients for their Christmas grants, which go to supporting local charities who are helping out locals this holiday season.
As the Bless Collective is running multiple activities this Christmas, particularly their dinner, the foundation was more than willing to support their efforts.
Community care manager for Bless Collective, Leanne Griffiths is already busy for the holiday season, as many are in the collective, and she is grateful for other groups to join in.
“We are very grateful, we’re very excited because it helps us help the community,” she said.
“It makes a big difference, because we are a small charity with high goals.”
The Bless Collective is a local charity organisation, most known for their weekly free dinners on Thursday nights, but their work is around the clock, providing meals, care packages and programs for local families in need.
Next month they will be running a special Christmas dinner, with related activities on the Thursdays leading up, as well as joining in wider relief efforts.
Leanne said it is not just about food relief and direct support, but building a wider inclusive community and bonding for those in need.
“This time of year is a well known time for people who are lonely and disadvantaged to feel more isolated,” she said.
“We have had families recently tell us they can’t afford Christmas, they can’t afford a Christmas dinner, they don’t have family or friends to celebrate Christmas with but they want to celebrate with others.
“While it is about the food and celebration, it is also about ensuring people don’t feel separated and isolated, that they are a part of our community.”
The Cardinia Foundation will help provide food that is extra special for the occasion which is expected to host 200 people on the evening of Thursday 21 December.
Various other Christmas activities will be conducted in the Thursdays prior, including a card making night on 30 November and a photo night on 7 December.
Bless Collective has also joined ‘Christmas Together’, a local campaign to provide relief and support with hampers for those in need in December that joins together Cardinia Shire Council, Salvation Army, Bless Collective, Adventist Development and Relief Agency and Campeyn Group.
The campaign needs support from the community; they have placed Christmas trees across Pakenham, including the library and various local businesses.
If you see one of the trees, they will have notes on them providing the food or products that local people need at this time. People are encouraged to donate any product by placing it under one of the trees or at Bless Collective office in Officer or at Salvation Army in Pakenham.
All donations, big or small are welcome, as they will go to supporting those in need this Christmas.
The Cardinia Foundation’s Christmas grants are a part of their wide fundraising appeal for the holiday season.
Calling on the community to ‘share the joy’, the community can either donate funds directly or start their own fundraiser as part of the appeal to help the lives of others this Christmas.
To get involved, go to cardinia-foundation.grassrootz.com/christmas-appeal-2023-share-the-joy
If you wish to also help Bless Collective’s work, you can go to their website at bless.org.au or call at 5943 2137.
