Doncare responds to community need during CoVid-19

Food assistance and services available from Doncare

Doncare continues to uphold its responsibility to support and care for the wellbeing of our clients, volunteers, staff and the wider community. The Board and the Executive Team continue to review the latest information provided by the Commonwealth and State Governments and adapt our service provision to meet the changing situation.

Doncare is particularly concerned about the vulnerable members in our community and those who are now being impacted by situations arising from COVID–19 who may have never been in a position of needing assistance before. We see our role to continue to act in a responsible and calm manner to ensure the wellbeing of those who have need of support. Although face-to-face services have of necessity had to cease, Doncare is still working hard to be as available as possible.

The current provision of Doncare services is outlined below:

Emergency Relief – Phone Doncare 9856 1500 for assistance with food parcels and food vouchers. Arrangements will be made for pick-up by those most in need. Information about, and referral to, other sources of assistance will be available wherever possible.

  • Social Support for Seniors and Community Visitors Scheme – client and volunteer support will continue by paid staff via telephone and email
  • Counselling - some telephone counselling is available to existing clients
  • Family Services – staff continue to provide a service to clients using innovative methods of distance contacting
  • DAWN - staff continue to support mentors who work with women recovering from family violence
  • Op Shops - Sadly the decision was taken to close our op shops. This was considered in the best interests of our Op Shop volunteers, staff and customers. To continue trading at this time was putting all in potential and unfair risk, particularly considering many of our volunteers and customers are in the higher risk categories. Our Op Shop staff are maintaining contact with the volunteers during this period.

Doncare would like to take the opportunity to thank all the frontline medical, emergency and community services workers for their dedication in continuing to provide their skills, knowledge and compassion at this time of increased risk to themselves.

Whilst COVID-19 will hit those living with disadvantage the most, it will also hit those who have not experienced disadvantage before. Families will have been impacted financially, emotionally and socially. We no longer have one of our major funding sources – the op shops. It is thus times like these that we rely on our supporters more than ever. Please consider providing a donation to Doncare to help us to continue to support the community now and into the future.