Giving a can of food may not seem like much, but it can make the world of difference to Tasmanian families in need.
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That’s where The Examiner’s Mission Possible campaign steps in.
Officially launching on Monday, Fairfax Tasmania has increased its combined goal to collect 30,000 items for City Mission between March 26 and May 6.
About 3000 families in the North and North-West received assistance as part of the first campaign held last year.
City Mission chief executive officer Stephen Brown said more families needed a helping hand as the housing crisis forced people to put more of their income towards rent and bills rather than food.
“By donating food, it takes the pressure off their weekly budget,” Mr Brown said.
The number of people seeking assistance has been increasing for several years, he said.
Mr Brown encouraged community organisations, clubs, schools and groups banded together to register their own collection sites and support the campaign. “Mission Possible is a collective community effort to help people struggling [in the area].”
DONATION LOCATIONS
More than 10,000 items were collected during the 2017 appeal.
City Mission was seeking donation with a long shelf life as well as food for school lunches, pharmaceutical goods, nappies and toiletries, he said.
Mission Shop retail assistant volunteer Michelle Nicholas said she hoped people would donate healthy food at one of the many collection areas.
She started volunteering with City Mission in November 2016 as part of a community services course, but Ms Nicholas continued after her study finished.
The appeal did more than just provide food assistance, it also helped build up people’s self esteem as it improved their lifestyle, she said. “They do make people feel better because life is a bit of a struggle sometimes.”
She encouraged people to consider volunteering some of their time as well as giving items to help Northern Tasmanians in need.