PORT Macquarie and Wauchope residents who would like to help the victims of the recent bushfires have been asked to donate cash rather than clothing and goods.
The call comes from the Salvation Army’s Major Brett Gallagher of the Port Macquarie and Hastings corps, who said transporting donations to bushfire recovery centres was not practical.
“People are being very generous, which we are thankful for, but to bundle up and ship donations to wherever a recovery centre is set up is extremely hard,” he said.
“Money is much better because that can be spent exactly on what people need, and also with local businesses, helping them get back on their feet and circulating through that local economy.”
He said cash donations through Woolworths also went twice as far, because the supermarket had pledged to match them dollar for dollar.
“There are local Woolworths who will take donations here at Settlement City, Lake Cathie and Lakewood,” the major said.
“If you cannot get to a Woolworths, you can also donate on line at www.salvos.org.au.”
The major also stressed that, while cash is preferred for the bushfire appeals, donations of clothing and goods suitable for resale were still very much welcome at the Salvation Army family stores in Port Macquarie and Wauchope.
“The money raised from the family stores goes to help people in the local area and keeping us up and running so we can provide the services we do across the Hastings, so even though it won’t go to the bushfire victims it is being put to very good use,” Major Gallagher said.
As of Friday, the Army’s nation-wide bushfire appeal had raised $2.9 million.
The major’s comments echoed an appeal from NSW Police not to drop off clothing and goods for bushfire relief.
“Money is the most useful donation because it provides flexibility and choice to meet immediate needs,” a police spokesperson said.
“It also circulates in the affected community, stimulating faster recovery for the local economy.
“However, much of the public’s goodwill can result in unsolicited donations of second-hand goods. This response is less helpful and can actually undermine recovery efforts and community resilience.”
In addition to the Salvation Army appeal, people who wish to donate can do so via the Red Cross, St Vincent De Paul Society NSW or the Blue Mountains City Council Mayoral Relief Fund.
