EXCITEMENT is building around many homes in the Shoalhaven with Christmas beckoning but when you are homeless there is no joy over the festive season.
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The Shoalhaven Homeless Hub is in desperate need of non-perishable food and gifts to give to homeless people in the local area so they have something nice for Christmas.
They need as much support as they can get.
Unions Shoalhaven has stepped up and each Thursday from 12pm at Jelly Bean Park they have been collecting non-perishable food and gifts for the homeless.
Group president Tim Montgomery said they wanted to do something to help people in need.
“We have been involved in a range of different issues like unemployment and we know that when people are doing things really tough they can lose their homes,” he said.
“They could be out on the streets for no fault of their own and sometimes homelessness will be through misadventure or illness - a whole range of things really.”
Mr Montgomery said Shoalhaven had a homeless problem.
“There are a number of people in the Shoalhaven who don’t have somewhere to live,” he said
“Christmas is going to be a pretty tough time for them and many things are tough for someone who is homeless.
“We are just trying get some Christmas things to make their lives a little bit better.
“It's a small contribution but it's something we are pleased to do.
“The whole reason why this organisation (Unions Shoalhaven) exists is to help people.”
He said the response was positive and they had a good collection of goods
They have been collecting every Thursday and will do so for the rest of the month.
They are after non-perishable goods with the Christmas bent like tin ham, lollies, packet goods and would be happy to accept donations of toys.
The homeless hub will distribute the goods in way it thinks is best.
Any group or individual can support the Shoalhaven Homeless Hub.
The Hub is open Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 3pm at 27 Junction Street Nowra and call 4421 8741 for information.
Mr Montgomery said one of the ongoing consequences of unemployment was homelessness and added the local unemployment rate was scandalous and work was needed to reduce it.
Go to hub’s ‘go fund page’ at www.gofundme.com/shoalhaven-homeless-hub