This festive season give the gift of financial relief, be a shoulder to lean on or fill a hungry stomach as it could be the turning point for someone in need.
Communities across western Sydney are facing record hardship as cost-of-living pressures, housing stress and food insecurity intensify.
Local support services are reporting their highest demand for emergency relief, mental health support and crisis intervention since COVID-19.
In response, five community organisations including Parramatta Mission, Junction 142, Lifeline Macarthur & Western Sydney, Bidwill Uniting and Gateway Family Services have untied to launch the Just One Christmas appeal, a coordinated model of care ensuring no need falls through the cracks.
The collaboration brings together food relief, crisis counselling, family support, community meals and pastoral care, strengthening safety nets across Parramatta, Penrith, the Blue Mountains, Nepean and Macarthur.
Through the Just One appeal, agencies are asking the community to give just one gift like one meal, one grocery card, one counselling session or one night of safety because each act is capable of changing the trajectory of a family doing it tough.
Lifeline, which provides 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention services, is seeing rising distress according to Chief Executive Officer for Lifeline Macarthur and Western Sydney Veronica Macdonald.
“Our calls tell us the pressure is real,” she said.
“Campaigns like Just One remind people that someone will answer. Someone will step in. No one needs to face this alone.”
Frontline workers are saying the need for help in western Sydney is the worst it has been in years.
“We’re seeing families who have never asked for help before: single parents, shift workers, people who are working hard but unable to keep up with the rise in cost of living,” Fundraising and Consortium Manager at Parramatta Mission Jenny Oates said.
“When someone walks in after skipping meals so their kids can eat, one meal or one safe place to sit and be heard can be the turning point.
“People are exhausted, and they need community behind them.”
The Just One campaign is coordinated through the Uniting Church’s Parramatta Nepean Presbytery, and all funds raised support frontline work across the five partner organisations.
“Hardship rarely comes on its own,” Just One campaign spokesperson Craig Corby said.
“Someone who can’t afford food might also be struggling with rent or isolation.
“Working together ensures people receive are in joined up ways: food, shelter, support and hope.”
Just One support services include a warm meal, shower or hygiene pack for someone sleeping rough, a lifeline crisis call answered, a Christmas hamper delivered and a supported playgroup helping parents rebuild confidence.
To help or learn more about the campaign visit https://donate.parramattamission.org.au/event/just-one.
