Partnership with GIVIT supporting Queenslanders during disasters

Queenslanders affected by natural disasters will have greater support thanks to the ongoing partnership between GIVIT and the Palaszczuk Government.

GIVIT, a not-for-profit organisation, is funded by the Palaszczuk Government to manage all offers of donated goods and services across the state following natural disasters and donate them to affected Queenslanders.

Minister for Communities Coralee O’Rourke praised the strong partnership between GIVIT and the Palaszczuk Government today (9 October) while visiting GIVIT’s head office in Brisbane.

“Following Severe Tropical Cyclone Debbie in March 2017, and the flooding that followed, GIVIT worked with 59 frontline and community service organisations to support affected Queenslanders, matching close to 90,000 donated items including whitegoods, furniture, and children’s toys to people in need,” Mrs O’Rourke said.

“More recently, in March and April this year following the severe weather in the north and Tropical Cyclone Nora in the far north of the state, GIVIT distributed around 300 items to affected residents

“This week is Get Ready Queensland Week, and it’s a good time to remind Queenslanders of the devastating effect of natural disasters on communities.

“When the next disaster strikes, donations of goods or cash to GIVIT can make all the difference for impacted Queenslanders trying to get back on their feet.”

Donations can be made via the GIVIT website – givit.org.au.

GIVIT CEO and founder Juliette Wright said GIVIT was continuing to receive requests for people recovering from disasters such as TC Debbie.

“One resident near Logan Reserve lived nine months without power and didn’t start repairs on his property for more than a year after the flooding began,” she said.

“After GIVIT fulfilled the requests for support we received lovely feedback – “this is life changing for this gentleman, especially the fact that people do care, people do help those in need, and more importantly, that he is a worthwhile person, good things do happen to him.”

“GIVIT doesn’t go away when the media does, and we continue to assist recovery by spending locally 100 percent of the money that businesses and people across Australia donate. Your donation buys urgently essential items from retailers in affected communities.”

Last month, GIVIT assisted Queenslanders impacted by bushfires in the Woolooga and surrounding areas, which destroyed livestock, fencing and farming equipment.

Mrs O’Rourke also announced today an extra $64,000 to continue GIVIT’s Queensland Engagement Coordinator role.

“Since the creation of this role with government funding in 2017, GIVIT has provided support to vulnerable people across Queensland, visiting more than 70 communities to learn about local needs and how GIVIT can support local services,” she said.

“The extension of this government-funded role in GIVIT will allow the organisation to provide intensive support in the Gladstone and Townsville regions, as well as more accessible areas of south-east Queensland.”

GIVIT CEO and founder Juliette Wright said the role had strengthened GIVIT’s relationship with charities and community groups across Queensland.

“With funding for this role, GIVIT has successfully encouraged hundreds of new charities to access GIVIT’s services to meet the needs of some of the state’s most impoverished people, particularly those in rural and regional areas of the state,” she said.

Mrs O’Rourke said the Palaszczuk Government’s support for GIVIT was another example of its commitment to help create thriving communities where people are resilient, able to participate and engage in their community and enjoy economic and social wellbeing.

For more information about how you can support GIVIT, visit www.givit.org.au

Find out more about Get Ready Week at www.getready.qld.gov.au

ENDS

Media Contact: Benjamin Mulcahy 0419 562 389