Sunshine Bendigo is calling out to local businesses and entrepreneurs who could help in their search for a new home.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The not-for-profit organisation that helps disadvantaged families in the region is currently operating out of the Uniting Church in Long Gully.
But founder Glenda Serpell said the space is no longer sustainable for the group's expanding services.
“We’ve outgrown our premises because the need is so great,” she said. “Because we’re a charity and we have no government support, we rely on the community to help keep us going.”
Sunshine Bendigo has twelve volunteers who help collect, sort, and redistribute essential new and pre-loved baby goods and nursery equipment to families in need across central Victoria.
The group, which is in its fourth year of operation, assisted 391 families in the region in 2018 and provided over 1000 baby items to the community.
They also connected with different allied health services in Bendigo to assist in 275 separate cases.
Ms Serpell said they are looking for a business with excess space or an unused warehouse to help service their growing services.
She said they would also welcome a single company or a collection of businesses who would be willing to donate annually to help out with rent and other expenses.
“The need is ever growing in the community,” Ms Serpell said. “Many people find themselves in a difficult position when a baby comes into the picture.”
“We deal with cases that are from all different circumstances,” she said. “It may be a foster family, children in the care of grandparents, single parents, or people from refugee backgrounds.”
Since Sunshine Bendigo made a call out on social media late last week, Ms Serpell said there has been wide-spread public interest and some potential suitors have made themselves known.
“We’ve had some good interest in it so far, but it’s a big thing for people to give you a new place," she said. "We're always looking to gain a higher profile in the community and we hope a bigger space will help achieve that."
Ms Serpell said the group is also on the search for more volunteers.
“We have been successful with several grant applications in the past, but that’s for practical things rather than something like rent,” she said. “We’re after a new building, but also ongoing support.”
Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.
