Parish backs winter food drive

By Wendy Shaw

Kind-hearted parishioners have responded generously to a grocery drive for the St Vincent de Paul Society.

The food will directly help people in need.

Launceston Catholic Parish secretary Carolyn Gutteridge said the grocery drive was organised in response to a need within the community.

It was held in addition to the Catholic community’s support for the society’s annual winter appeal, which aids some of the most vulnerable in the community during the cold winter months, and the long-standing leaving collection for St Vincent de Paul Society Conferences on the first Sunday of the month.

“The generosity of parishioners has been overwhelming, as usual,” Mrs Gutteridge said.

Some 28 bags and boxes filled with item such as rice, pasta, tea, coffee, cereals, long life milk and tinned food were collected after Mass and at the parish office over three weeks in June.

St Vincent de Paul’s community and youth manager, Sam Grace, said the goods would be distributed from the society’s emergency relief office in Launceston.

“We see a large number of families and individuals who need support with the essentials so it will go directly to them,” Ms Grace said.

She added that cost of living pressures together with an influx of people sleeping rough had resulted in an increase in those seeking assistance with food, clothing, blankets, swags and utility bills this year.