3BA community appeals ambassador Peter Caligari extended his gratitude to businesses and the greater community as the 3BA Winter Appeal continues to call for donations.

"This year the problems have been confounded even further by the COVID-19 pandemic," he said.

"Many more families have found it necessary to seek assistance and relief, but fortunately the Ballarat community has once again been very generous."

Mr Caligari said despite an expectation donations would be down for the Winter Appeal because so many people had already donated to help communities affected by the Summer's bushfires, he has still been blown away by the generosity of the community.

"The appeal will certainly be down on last year because so many people made donations earlier in the year to assist with bushfire relief," he continued.

"We knew that this could be a difficult year, but it's still amazing to still see the extent to which Ballarat has reached into its pocket to lend a hand... We're very fortunate that we live in a very generous community."

Looking at the donations, Mr Caligari commended Creswick Woolen Mills, who have continued its partnership with the Winter Appeal despite a difficult year, having lost the majority of its customers to the pandemic.

"Creswick Woollen Mills have been an incredibly generous supporter of the 3BA Winter Appeal for at least 15 years or more," he said.

"During that time, they have provided countless top quality blankets to help some Ballarat families doing it the hardest."

Mr Caligari urged anyone within the community with the means to help by making a monetary or food donation to do so to assist the growing number of families in need of assistance because of the pandemic.

"The pandemic has created immense problems for so many families... government support can only go so far.

"Winter is always difficult because our winters can be very cold, long and severe... during these months the welfare agencies we support experience a huge increase in the number of less fortunate families that are left with no alternative but to seek assistance."

To make a donation, go to the 3BA website, or to a Salvation Army location.

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