Vinnies offers helping hand during severe drought

ST VINCENT de Paul’s volunteers in the Southern Downs are offering a helping hand those suffering in drought west of Toowoomba.

A shot of Kumbrilla State Forest near Dalby during the ongoing drought.

ST VINCENT de Paul’s volunteers in the Southern Downs are offering a helping hand those suffering in drought west of Toowoomba.

The ongoing dry conditions are the worst Stanthorpe volunteer Carmel Mahoney has seen in her 30 years as a member of the organisation.

Ms Mahoney is part of a group of Southern Downs members offering food and fuel vouchers to families in drought across the region.

“I recently gave a woman some food and fuel vouchers and she was just over the moon. It made all the difference to her. It may have saved her,” she said.

“We’ve helped to supply water to about 80 properties but it’s so dry – there’s no work because there’s no produce because there’s no water.

“Instead of hampers this Christmas we’re giving IGA vouchers because there’s so much need that our little (six person) conference would never get all the hampers out. We’re too old to lug them all.”

Ms Mahoney said the Stanthorpe and wider community had come together to help the people of the Southern Downs keep battling on as the rain continues to stay away and bushfires threatened.

“We’ve been so beautifully supported by parishes from all over the state,” she said.

“Brisbane and Toowoomba have joined in to help us and St Joseph’s School in Stanthorpe gave us $2200 from their Christmas concert.

“All those kids worked so hard to support the community even when some of their own families are doing it hard.”

Vinnies has distributed more than $76,000 to people impacted by drought and bushfires since October.

Donations to help people in need can be made at the website.

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