Vinnies Toowoomba calls on Darling Downs residents to stop donations temporarily

With one-third of volunteers out of action due to Covid-19, a Toowoomba charity has asked residents to stop donating temporarily while they navigate the outbreak of the virus.

Vinnies in Toowoomba.

AN “OVERWHELMING” number of donations have flooded through the doors of the region’s charities, and a with a growing homelessness crisis and unemployment on the rise, normally the donations would be welcome any day.

But with a third of volunteers in isolation as a result of the latest Covid-19 outbreak, one Toowoomba charity has pleaded with the community to hold onto their donations while they deal with the Covid outbreak and its impacts on stores.

St Vincent de Paul Society stores around the region are facing volunteer shortages as a result of the pandemic, and residents are now being asked to put a hold on any donations.

Toowoomba Vinnies retail operations manager Adam Bruggemann said the community’s generosity was heartwarming to see, however with a large portion of their volunteers out of action, the charity had become “overwhelmed”.

“We are always so grateful for quality donations to our shops and are overwhelmed by the generosity of locals donating their unwanted clothes and household items to support Vinnies,” he said.

“Unfortunately, with around a third of our volunteers home sick or isolating due to COVID-19, we are being overwhelmed quite literally.

“We are asking Darling Downs residents to consider storing their donations for the next two weeks to help us catch up.

“We are still accepting quality donations, but a bit of breathing room until our volunteers can return would be very appreciated.”

The pandemic continues to hit local businesses hard.

Mr Bruggemann said Vinnies always welcomed new volunteers to assist in the shops to help sort donations or work at the registers.

“The donations we receive and sell help fund our ongoing support for people experiencing poverty or homelessness throughout the Darling Downs, but we can’t do it without the help of volunteers,” he said.

If you’re interested in volunteering with Vinnies, contact [e-mail]

Originally published as Vinnies Toowoomba calls on Darling Downs residents to stop donations temporarily