Local manufacturer C.E. Bartlett has put its skills and expertise to good use creating swags for Ballarat’s homeless community.
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As part of Vinnies Make a Swag for the Homeless campaign, the business donated 25 swags to the Ballarat Soup Bus to distribute to those in need and 30 more swags to Women in Textiles.
Soup Bus founder Craig Schepis said the organisation and team of volunteers were very appreciative of the generous donation.
“The generosity of the Ballarat community never ceases to amaze me and we cannot thank Bartlett’s enough,” he said.
“This donation not only represents a warm and dry bed for 25 homeless people in our city but it provides significant cost savings to our organisation allowing us to utilise funds for other important things.”
Bartlett chief executive officer Dave O’Brien said the decision to support the Vinnies campaign was a particularly easy one to make.
“Homelessness is a significant issue in the community and while it is easy to take for granted a warm house to go home to each night, we acknowledge that not all people are fortunate enough to have a roof over their head due to varying circumstances.
“While we cannot provide bricks and mortar housing for these people, the nature of our business has allowed us to jump on board this fantastic initiative by using our manufacturing expertise and quality materials to donate these swags.
“Our city is renowned for its long, cold winter nights and we are thrilled that by supplying these swags our business is able to help those in need.”
The Ballarat Soup Bus is best known for its after-dark meal service to Ballarat’s homeless, which occurs five days a week with the support of restaurants, cafes and bakeries in the community.
The much needed service also collects donations from the community including groceries such as canned food, long-life milk and sugar, clothing, swags and toiletries such as shampoo, conditioners, sanitary items, deodorant and soap to help vulnerable families living on the streets or those who are struggling financially.