What We Do | GIVIT | 1 Million Items For People Impacted By COVID | Thanks To NRMA And RACV For Helping People In Need

GIVIT has facilitated the donation of over 1 million essential items and services to people impacted by COVID-19.

Since launching the COVID-19 Relief Program in 2021 following a sharp increase in COVID-related requests, GIVIT has provided assistance to 628 support organisations around the country.

NRMA Insurance and RACV joined forces in September 2021 to deliver $2 million to fund the program for two years. The program has enabled GIVIT to:

Purchase and deliver the urgently needed items and services that people and community groups impacted by the pandemic request.
Promote the program to encourage donations and fund requests.
Onboard more support organisations to the GIVIT platform, empowering them to request what they need, when they need it.

The COVID-19 Relief Program has allowed our community partners to rapidly meet the urgent needs of Australians and ensure that people have access to the everyday items we all require.

SARAH TENNANT, FORMER GIVIT CEO

Through the COVID-19 Relief Program, GIVIT recently assisted a young family in regional New South Wales. The family has four children, all under five years old, one of whom has a chronic medical condition requiring regular medical appointments in Newcastle.

COVID-enforced lockdowns left the parents unemployed. GIVIT provided the family with $400 worth of groceries and $100 worth of clothing vouchers to help with the financial burden during this tough time.

In Western Sydney, GIVIT helped a mum and son impacted by domestic violence. After escaping the situation with no possessions, this family was left temporarily homeless after a COVID diagnosis left mum unable to work.

The family eventually secured a rental property, and GIVIT provided the family with a new microwave, and a $300 voucher to assist with furnishing their new home.

In Victoria, GIVIT has been working with A Better Life For Foster Kids. GIVIT has provided thousands of items including clothing, toys and blankets, which the organisation then uses to create crisis care cases for children in out-of-home care.

"To have a suitcase full of clothes, with a small toy and a blanket is really important for these children" says Heather Baird, Founder of A Better Life For Foster Kids. "GIVIT is a great resource because there are times where we may need something unusual and we're able to source it through GIVIT."

RACV's support allows GIVIT to provide crucial support to people experiencing COVID-related hardship in Victoria

Engagement Officer Temiah sitting at a desk, helping an ATSILS staff member on her laptop In Queensland, GIVIT recently assisted Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service (ATSILS) with essential items for a family they were supporting.

ATSILS were assisting a First Nations family with six children between 7 and 25 years old. In early 2022, the mum passed away from COVID-19, devastating the family. ATSILS worked closely with the family and the justice system to secure full custody of the children to the 21-year-old, and secured two properties for them to live in.

This family had no household items. Through GIVIT, they received almost $18,000 worth of furniture, kitchen essentials, whitegoods, clothing and grocery vouchers.

Vickie Newland from ATSILS said GIVIT provided them with a valuable service. "This mother was a much-loved member of our community. We are now in the process of setting up homes for these children and none of it would be possible without GIVIT's support," said Vickie.

Partners

NRMA Insurance is delighted that our joint contribution with RACV to establish the COVID-19 Relief Program has seen GIVIT achieve such a significant milestone.

RAMANA JAMES, NRMA INSURANCE EXECUTIVE GENERAL MANAGER SAFER COMMUNITIES

RACV is very pleased to see the impact GIVIT is having on the communities it has provided essential items to, who need the support. Even a small item can make a big difference to someone’s life.

LOUISE STEINFORT, RACV GENERAL MANAGER SOCIAL IMPACT AND CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS

The impacts of COVID-19 continue to be felt. The pandemic has exacerbated the stress on our most vulnerable, especially communities recovering from the compounding impacts of natural disasters; First Nations communities in need; and families from low social economic backgrounds dealing with lockdowns and extended unemployment.

The list below shows what's needed right now by organisations supporting people experiencing hardship. You can donate an item or service, FUND an item or service, or donate directly to the appeal.

See what people need right now

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6,891

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Big W voucher - $20

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