Whether it's providing food, essentials such as medicines and nappies, or necessary services while trapped indoors, GV Cares will do what it can to guide vulnerable people through their time of need.
Launched on Monday, August 23, the GV Cares Facebook page has quickly gathered almost 1000 likes, and sees a number of community organisation staples including Greater Shepparton Lighthouse, Shepparton FoodShare, the Ethnic Council of Shepparton and District and the Committee for Greater Shepparton band together as thousands face no choice but to quarantine.
Project co-ordinator and Lighthouse executive officer Lisa McKenzie summed the effort up perfectly: "Shepp people helping Shepp people".
Ms McKenzie said an ever-growing team of double-vaccinated volunteers would deliver food and essential goods and services wherever possible.
“There certainly is an opportunity to call the Victorian Government hotline, but I understand demand is very high there, so the local community has rallied to address the local need,” she said.
“The need is very high - thousands and thousands of people are quarantining, people don't have access to their traditional networks, they're also in quarantine.
“People who haven't been vulnerable before are now vulnerable for the first time. I want to say to people, there's no shame in this if you need a hand, because everyone is vulnerable at the moment.
“People for the first time in their lives might need to reach out for a hand - please do.”
GV Cares will distribute FoodShare supplies but will also contribute fresh food such as bread, milk, fruit and vegetables purchased from local businesses, meaning over $20,000 in donations gathered in a single day will be put to good use.
Ms McKenzie said risk minimisation was fundamental; deliveries would be contactless, while volunteers must be double-vaccinated, be generally fit and healthy, not have a COVID-19 test pending and not be in quarantine.
She said the immediate buy-in from those around town again displayed the heart with which it operates.
“As the Premier has pointed out this week, we live in an extraordinary community, it's well known and well recognised - this is Shepp people looking after Shepp people,” she said.
“Whatever it looks like, come to us with your problem and we'll try and problem-solve it.
“The bottom line is don't be afraid to reach out, we've got this huge number of volunteers now, including a whole lot of people at home who are highly-skilled.”
Shepparton FoodShare chair Jeremy Rensford said his organisation was thrilled to pitch in as thousands around town do it tough.
“We've got such a great community here in Greater Shepparton, FoodShare has been such a good community organisation for almost 10 years, and any time we can help we don't hesitate,” he said.
“Thankfully we've got great supplies of food at the moment, so we're ready to get that out as soon as we can. We're so grateful to Lighthouse and the wider community helping with all the logistics and getting everyone with the resources they have.
“We're ready, willing and able to help where needed.”
Those who need help or a chat can email gvares@gslp.com.au, while potential volunteers can email bsenini@gslp.com.au
