As the rental crisis and rising cost-of-living crunch continues to be felt across the district, local residents, schools, organisations and businesses have joined an initiative which aims to support those in need.
Life in a Bag SA Southern Area aims to give hope to vulnerable members of the community, by collecting bagged donations of items to be distributed to Fleurieu Peninsula residents, particularly victims of domestic violence and those experiencing homelessness.
The annual drive started in Adelaide’s northern suburbs in 2016 before the southern branch began in 2018, and co-ordinator, Pauline Verwaal Whitford, finds the donations offer hope to the recipients.
“I know one lady who just sat down and cried,” Ms Verwaal Whitford said.
“She was in a motel room for months and months, I think she had three kids, and put on a brave face for the kids, but once the kids went to bed, it was tough.
“When she opened this bag, there was a cake of soap from Kangaroo Island and she burst into tears.
“Often, they were in a situation where they were told they were useless and worthless for a long time, so to have somebody give something that’s been handmade or something special, it just means so much.
“It’s that sign of you’re not on your own, which is what we’re really trying to do.”
Held at the start of winter, the annual drive aims to lift spirits during the onset of cooler weather and support homeless people on cold nights.
“It’s the time when people become quite depressed about their situation, particularly if they’re in temporary housing for a long period of time,” Ms Verwaal Whitford said.
“Across the whole Fleurieu… kids can be in a car or in a tent – it’s tough for people.
“Anything that shows that the community cares about them and they’re not on their own does make a difference.”
The donation drive is “as much about the givers as it is about the receivers”, as those donating can mindfully consider what a vulnerable community member might need.
“When a family is putting together a bag with a couple of kids at home, they wonder, ‘what will someone need?’,” Ms Verwaal Whitford explained.
“They’re having those conversations and it makes people realise they are real people.
“Often, I think people read things in the newspapers or see them on Facebook about these figures of how many people are homeless, but (this initiative) personalises it.”
Some sought-after items include toiletries, snacks, long-life meals, and something warm.
Knit and Natter is among many local groups which donate towards the cause, and the Goolwa members have spent about nine months knitting beanies, gloves, scarves and blankets.
“We just do what we can and hope it helps somebody, because there are a lot of homeless people in the Fleurieu,” hostess Jenny Woods said.
“It gives you satisfaction knitting for someone who is cold, who can get something warm.”
Ms Woods started the group during COVID to help combat isolation, and now about 12 members meet at Riverside at Goolwa Retirement Living twice a month to knit or join others for a coffee.
For inquiries on joining Knit and Natter, contact Ms Woods on: (0410 279 909).
Life in a Bag SA Southern Area donations can be made from May 13 to 21, at various places across the Fleuireu Peninsula, including Goolwa Pharmacy and Strath Sewing and Quilting.
For further information, visit: (www.facebook.com/LifeInABagSASouthern).