Vinnies and you: Bringing relief from the bushfires

6 February 2020

Thanks to the ongoing support of Vinnies Bushfire Appeal donors and corporate partners, Vinnies volunteers have been on the ground day-in and day-out since the bushfires began in September 2019.

We are working with people to offer support right now and over the long term as they rebuild their lives. During the bushfire crisis, Vinnies volunteers are on the ground in hundreds of communities across the country, helping people as they deal with the immediate aftermath of fires. Our members and volunteers live and work in the impacted communities and will stay alongside those people affected for the long months and years of recovery ahead.

So far, the Vinnies Bushfire Appeal has raised $14.6 million to support communities affected by bushfires in NSW, the ACT, Queensland, Victoria and SA. We want to extend a big and heartfelt thank you to everyone who has contributed to this extraordinary show of community support.

Millions of dollars distributed

Nationally, Vinnies has paid out $4.2 million in direct cash payments to bushfire-affected households, with all funds coming from the Vinnies Bushfire Appeal. We’ve also spent hundreds of thousands on non-cash assistance, such as petrol and grocery vouchers.

We’re distributing the remainder of funds each day, so these figures increase by the hour.

Ensuring government funds reach the ground

As a trusted charity, Vinnies is also helping to distribute funds from the Federal Government. So far, we have given out $1.2 million in Emergency Relief Fund grants, helping well over 1,000 households.

No administration fees

Thanks to our diversified income streams, including our retail shops and volunteer supporter base, we are able to cover administration fees – meaning 100% of donations to the Vinnies Bushfire Appeal go straight to those affected on the ground.

Material support

In addition to financial assistance, our volunteers have given out countless hampers of food, water, clothing, toiletries, bedding, and other essential items provided from our local Vinnies Shops and support centres. We started providing these goods straight away in September 2019, weeks before we received donations to the Vinnies Bushfire Appeal.

Every dollar goes to bushfire relief

Every dollar donated to the Vinnies Bushfire Appeal is being spent on this season’s bushfire crisis. We are not saving donations for future emergencies or any other services.

Over the long term

People do not recover from a disaster overnight, which is why we are assessing their needs and planning for the weeks and months of rebuilding that lay ahead.

Vinnies is determined to be there for the long haul, helping our communities get back on their feet.

Keep up with the latest bushfire relief work from Vinnies at https://www.vinnies.org.au/page/News/National/National_News_Items_2020/.