In early 2021, Ange Harding had an idea to help Goulburn's most vulnerable.
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Fast-forward 12 months and the Goulburn Community Kindness Project is still going strong and is once again on the lookout for donations and volunteers.
We spoke to Ange about how the group has been travelling and what they have planned for 2022.
GP: How are things? Very busy I imagine!
AH: It is a busy time that's for sure. There is always a need in the community for assistance with anything from running errands, obtaining food items, sourcing furniture, clothing, books, toys - you name it.
GP: What was the original purpose of the Kindness Project and has that changed at all?
AH: Originally, I just wanted to set up a local group where people could comfortably ask if they needed help with anything at all. I had seen 'help a mate' groups in other locations around the country and thought given the small town that Goulburn is, the community spirit of people and of course, the ever-changing challenges of the pandemic, that we could create something special here too.
GP: Are you seeing an increase in demand for items?
AH: It's fairly consistent because there's always people who are trying to keep their heads above water. The Kindness Project is for everybody because everybody could do with a bit of a hand at times. There is an abundance of generosity and people understand that we live in an abundant society.
So many people have an excess of items in their homes and given the fact that we're all spending so much time in our homes now because of COVID and the restrictions it has resulted in, people feel the urge to declutter and organise their lives more.
Combine that with the needs in the community, and the Kindness Project provides a platform where people can help others by giving what they no longer need. They can also help others when they are in a position to do so.
GP: How has Goulburn's community stepped up to support the project?
AH: It's been overwhelmingly positive, and people just want to feel like they're part of something good. In the past where people may have just taken items to the tip or sold them online, people can now personally involve themselves in community giving.
People love to cook meals for others, they love being able to pick a few items up from the shop to help somebody who's having a tight week. They love being able to post in our group excess items they have available to those in need, and give those items to people directly. Without question and without judgement.
The Kindness Project is a platform for people to do good and it's an opportunity for people to do something nice that can make a really lovely difference in the life of somebody else, somebody they don't even know!
GP: What are you most in need of at the moment?
AH: Those who operate community pantries and free shops are always appealing for non-perishable grocery items, fresh fruit and vegetables, bread, eggs, clothing, toys, books, homewares - you name it!
GP: How can people help?
AH: There are so many ways to get involved - you're limited only by your imagination. You can rally your office teams to collect food items for pantries and food relief. You can de-clutter your homes and offer to others unwanted clothing, shoes, homewares, school uniforms, books, toys - you name it!
You can even make yourself available to help somebody out if they request assistance via our group. We also post on local community groups here in Goulburn when we need to broaden our reach to assist others.
If businesses have excess food that's unsold, we can make sure it gets to people who need it.
People as well can set up their own little free pantry, library, or free shop, or they may make themselves available to provide advice to others if for instance, they have knowledge and/or experience in areas such as housing advocacy, navigating NDIS, Centrelink, etc.
It's all about doing kindness your way.
People can contact me directly on 0409 860 823 or via the group page at http://www.facebook.com/groups/goulburncommunitykindnessproject.
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