Local residents in financial crisis will receive vital emergency support with $23 million to be shared between agencies which support Gippslanders.
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said five organisations which service Gippsland were part of a $200 million national announcement delivering emergency relief.
In addition, $4.5 million in funding will be allocated to three organisations, Foodbank, SecondBite and OzHarvest, to provide Food Relief across Australia.
“Latrobe Community Health Service and Gippsland Lakes Community Health are among the local agencies that have secured funding to provide assistance in the form of food parcels, clothes, bedding, household items and vouchers for utilities,” Mr Chester said.
“They are both well-known and vital service providers in our region which a play key role in referring local people in hardship to services for mental health, crisis housing, drug and alcohol issues or financial counselling.
“Larger agencies such as Catholic Care, The Salvation Army and Uniting Limited will also service Gippsland as part of their contracts to provide emergency relief funding to families facing hard times and help get food supplies to Australians impacted by crisis.”
Minister for Families and Social Services Paul Fletcher said the Federal Government’s investment in these services would improve outcomes for vulnerable families and children and help to build strong and resilient communities.
“Over 530,000 disadvantaged Australians were helped through this relief last year—providing a vital lifeline during times of crisis, such as illness, family violence or natural disasters such as the drought.” Mr Fletcher said
The new Emergency Relief funding will be provided over a period of four and a half years commencing January 1, 2019.