Help for Homeless in Perth 2023
Karrinyup Rotary's winter support for the homeless commenced several years ago with collecting warm socks. This year's 'Socks for the Homeless' drive started earlier than previously and was again very successful. Over 420 pairs of socks were collected. Some were given to Perth Children's Cancer Hospital and Ronald McDonald house. At both these places, the socks become puppets for the sick children or provided clean socks for the family members, who at a moment's notice may have to come to Perth for their children’s health care.
The remaining socks were added to the backpacks for the homeless, which Karrinyup Rotary provides each year. These were filled with essentials to provide food and comfort during the winter months and handed out to the needy by the Perth City Homeless Working Group. The backpacks contain such items as blankets, socks, beanies, gloves, scarves, toiletries and food. Sleeping bags were also added to the contribution.
Each year a team of dedicated volunteers gives their time to not only collect these items but to pack the bags and take them to the homeless group for distribution.
Perth City Homeless Support Group is the largest of Perth's homeless support groups and is very well organised. All groups or organisations delivering goods and food to the Perth homeless must be registered with the City. This is to stop people haphazardly leaving food, clothes and other items around the city in an unorganised manner.
Tuesday evenings in Perth is when the groups go out to reach the city's homeless people to give aid where needed. Karrinyup Rotary's back packs and sleeping bags were to be distributed on Tuesday 9th May.