Vinnies shops throughout the NSW North Coast region urgently need more volunteers to help with retail operations. The organisation says some stores have had to reduce opening hours or close on trading days due to a critical shortage of volunteers.
Shops in locations such as Ballina, Bellingen, Brunswick Heads, Byron Bay, Casino, Kingscliff, Maclean, Mullumbimby and South Tweed Heads are in desperate need of volunteers who can assist customers, sort donations and help with day-to-day tasks.
Those who give their time to volunteer with Vinnies are directly helping St Vincent de Paul Society raise vital funds, which provides assistance to people who are experiencing disadvantage such as homelessness, domestic and family violence, and poverty.
‘We would be very grateful to anyone who can dedicate their time to helping us run our shops throughout the North Coast of New South Wales,’ says Paula McCormack, Regional Manager – Retail, at Vinnies.
‘Our volunteers are absolutely essential. They enable us to help people in need and make a bigger impact in our local community.’
Anyone who is interested in volunteering with Vinnies is encouraged to apply online or visit their local store to meet the team in person.
Shared vision
In the past financial year, approximately 5750 retail and logistics volunteers helped Vinnies to sell over 3.4 million items of pre-loved clothing and goods around the state.
‘Vinnies volunteers share our vision of a more just and compassionate society,’ said Ms McCormack.
‘They may have busy lives, but sparing just a few hours during the week or a day on the weekend can make a huge difference.’
In the past year, St Vincent de Paul Society NSW assisted over 15,500 individuals in the North Coast region — a 16 per cent increase on the previous year — and distributed over $2.3m in financial and material assistance to residents in need.
Of the people reaching out, 84 per cent needed food assistance and 50 per cent were experiencing housing stress.
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