Lending a Hand to Those in Need

A not-for-profit organisation located in Melbourne’s West has become a significant provider of support in the city of Melton.

The community has benefited immensely from the operation of this establishment, through having access to a well-stocked food bank, op shop, and free counselling and financial consultations for people who are needing help or advice.

Denise Morris, chief executive of Combined Churches Caring Melton (CCCM), has been with the organisation since it was first established.

“We got started in 1995, and we are going from bigger to better, so we can run more programs and do more things. We are usually approached by families who have child illnesses, people who have lost their businesses, or marriage breakdowns. They don’t have to be clients, they don’t have to be on a healthcare card, they can just be somebody who needs guidance”, she said.

Recently, Denise has noticed a significant rise in the number of locals requiring assistance due to hardships they are experiencing in their lives.

“Covid was interesting, as Centrelink had given them twice of what they would normally get given, so a lot of our clients dropped off. Our numbers dropped to about 8-10 a day, where normally we get around 20. But over the last 6 months, we’ve seen a marked increase in people coming”.

According to The Guardian, pensioners and single-parents are currently the most likely cohorts to need assistance in Australia.

For nearly three decades, CCCM has committed to supporting less fortunate individuals and families located in the Melton region, in order to supply them with food, clothes and free guidance.

Volunteer of 3 years, Lina Tonda, has felt enriched working in a place where she can help those who need support.

“I volunteered as soon as I retired. It’s close to home and it made me feel good because I’m helping people get food who would otherwise go hungry. If you can make them feel a little bit better, in knowing that you can provide something for them and their family, it makes me feel good… it just melts the heart”, she said.

After 28 years, CCCM continues to operate in order to care for the wellbeing of people in the community who are able to receive aid and encouragement from this organisation.