‘We need you to cook a muffin, decorate your muffler, pop on some ear muffs or even ‘Show Us Your Muff’ to raise money for women’s homelessness,’ says Sally Mathrick, one of the founders of the Darling Muffs of May.
The Darling Muffs of May is a movement that has started in Mullumbimby to celebrate the feminine and to support women’s health, and this year they are asking you to help them raise money for homeless women.
Right now they need you to join the ‘muffment’ and sign up to help raise money for six organisations who work on the frontline with women who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
‘Think Movember, but instead of growing your moustache you agree to show your muff (anonomuffly) in the Great Wall of Muff exhibition or cook some muffins or something else muff inspired you’d like to do and ask your friends to sponsor you to do it,’ explains Sally.
Women’s homelessness on the rise
There are an increasing number of women both young and old who are accessing local homeless and food services in the Northern Rivers as the impact of the 2022 flood, the housing crisis, and increased living costs continue to be felt.
Kim Kennedy, who is a team leader at Fred’s Place in Murwillumbah, said that they have seen an increase in women accessing the service since the 2022 floods, in particular older women who have never used the service before.
Liberation Larder, which supplies free meals to homeless people in Byron Bay and supports a range of other food service providers across the Northern Rivers, agreed. President Liz Jackson said that ‘Liberation Larder, was previously used by around 20 per cent women, and 80 per cent men; but we have seen a real shift over the last few years, and it is now about 50/50.’
‘There has been an increase in older women who are accessing the service, as well as young women with babies.’
What can you do?
Go to www.darlingmuffs.com.au where you can join the Muffs for Change by registering to make a muffin, ‘Show Us Your Muff’ or decorate your muffler and get your friends to sponsor you.
‘The Great Wall of Muff exhibition will take place on May 31 and we need women, men and anyone in between to get on board and register so your friends, colleagues, and families can sponsor you and we can raise money to support front line services that help women who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless,’ said Sally.
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