Welfare Services
FOOD ASSISTANCE
FREE BREAD PARCELS
Distributed to needy families in the Springfield/ Springfield Lakes area, donated from local bakeries
FOODBANK
For ~$15 per week, needy families receive ~ $80 worth of groceries sourced from “The Foodbank” in Brisbane. We service a number of families per week with a few of these able to be sponsored by WCC.
EMERGENCY GROCERY VOUCHERS
Grocery vouchers are periodically purchased from local businesses and supermarkets and distributed to needy people.
OTHER CRISIS HELP
CRISIS CARE MEALS & ASSISTANCE
When tragedy strikes in the community, we have a bank of 20-30 people prepared to help by providing loving support, cooking meals, helping around the house and assisting in other practical ways.
eg, we helped a family with 4 weeks of meals after they lost a baby in a swimming pool accident. And then again we provided 4 weeks of meals for a lady and her family involved in a car accident on the Ipswich Motorway. Due to the accident, the 7½ months pregnant mother sustained a broken pelvis and had to undergo an emergency delivery of the baby. Both Mum and baby are doing fine.
FAMILY CRISIS APPEALS
We have co-ordinated fundraising appeals for a number of local families in crisis and extreme need in a particular area. We do this as an act of mercy seeking to bring the whole community together to support the family with extravagant love.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
PASTORAL COUNSELLING
We provide basic friendship and spiritual counseling, love & support for struggling people in the areas of finances, marriage & addictions. Where appropriate we also refer people to other more specialized counseling
In 2010 we will have Quest Care providing professional counseling services and the Healing rooms prayer ministry from our Camira Springfield Community Centre
EMAIL NETWORK FOR REQUESTS & GIVE-AWAYS
Our community email list is substantial & continues to grow. Its use is two-fold. Firstly, it advertises items people have to give-away. Secondly, it is a fast and effective means of fulfilling requests for help.
SCHOOL HELP
BREAKFAST CLUB
Community volunteers provide and serve breakfast to students who may not have been given a proper breakfast or lunch by struggling families. This venture is run at Camira State School and caters for up to 50 children.
BACK TO SCHOOL GRANTS
At the beginning of 2007, WCC was approached by the Principal of the new Springfield Lakes State Primary School, Mr Tom Byrne who was concerned about the “back to school” costs to struggling parents and asked us if there was any WCC could help. The “Back to School Grants” program was established as a result. Struggling families can apply to receive a grant of up to $100 -$200 depending on available funds to go towards the cost of uniforms, book packs and school levies. Payment is made directly to the school administration and/or the school uniform shop.
2nd HAND UNIFORMS
In addition to the “Back to School Grants” program, WCC was spurred on to address the cost of purchasing uniforms at Local Schools. As the school does not sell 2nd hand uniforms, struggling families are faced with the costs of purchasing new uniforms. People can now donate their children’s old uniforms and WCC will pass them onto the School Chaplains to distribute them as supply and needs arise. Donations can be dropped off at Camira Springfield Community Centre , 389 Old Logan Rd Camira or Spring Lake Community Centre 53 Springfield Lakes Boulevard Springfield Lakes
CHRISTMAS
FOOD VOUCHERS to the retail value of $50 are distributed to struggling families particularly over the Christmas period, but vouchers are also available during the year
COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS LUNCH is hosted by Woodcrest College Auditorium Spirngfield and caters for 200 families, couples or singles that have no family or finance to enjoy the spirit Christmas.
Christmas Day Service 9am
Morning Tea 10am
Lunch 11.30am -2pm
ORION GIVING TREE is hosted by Springfield Town Centre Orion. Community and local groups nominate needy children within the community, gifts are matched with age groups of children nominated and over 200 local disadvantaged children receive gifts donated by the community
QUEENSLAND TIMES ADOPT-A-FAMILY APPEAL – QT HAMBPERS APPEAL is organised by the Queensland Times. The community donates food which provides about 250 Hampers and Christmas Gifts to needy families at Christmas. WCC assist 20 families in the Greater Springfield/Gailes/Camira area which receive the family hampers.