Community
11 December, 2024
Parish helping to spread the Christmas cheer in North West
The donations will assist social service providers to help struggling children and families.
A wave of donations is amassing at Good Shepherd Catholic Parish office as Mount Isans think of those less fortunate this Christmas.
The effort to seek donations of food, toiletries, clothing, toys and other gifts is a joint initiative that begins with appeals to multiple schools and workplaces across the city, which are then collected on behalf of St Vincent De Paul and Good Shepherd Parish.
When North West Weekly arrived at the parish office, dozens of washing baskets overflowing with gifts and donations were scattered across the library and meeting room floor space with many more baskets and boxes expected to arrive in the coming days.
The hampers are distributed in the days before and after Christmas to individuals and families who participate in St Vinnies, Good Shepherd Parish and North West Queensland Indigenous Catholic Social Services programs, as well as those associated with the Salvation Army and Kmart Giving Tree.
Mount Isa St Vincent De Paul conference leader Corena Powers said the donations would assist social service providers in their community outreach efforts to help struggling children and families.
“I recently did emergency relief for a family who were doing it really tough – the mother had just lost her job and there was no money coming into the home – when we provided some assistance she just burst into tears,” she said.
“People are so appreciative of these donations – so anything that someone is thinking of getting rid of – we are the place to donate it. We continue the work even after the Christmas period. A lot of people are leaving town at this time of year – and they have things they don’t want to pack – Good Shepherd Parish can receive it and pack it and find a new home for it with someone who is in need.”
She said the appeal also had the ability to accept cash donations as well as physical goods.
Anyone wanting more information can contact the Good Shepherd Parish office on 4749 8555.