NSW, Queensland floods: Simple way to help wiped out Aussies in towns and suburbs

Evacuation centres are filling up fast along the eastern seaboard as Australia battles a fresh natural disaster – and there is an easy way we can all lend a hand.

Evacuation centres are filling up fast and most Australians just want to know how to help. As emergency services continue to respond, relief for those impacted is coming from trusted charitable organisations like the Salvation Army, which has already distributed over 28,000 meals and counting.

Salvation Army Major Bruce Harmer said as well as food, Salvation Army teams are also “offering emotional support, which is well received by those displaced from their homes.”

“We have seen in the past two years, through bushfires, floods, drought and Covid-19, the spirit of generosity shown in times of hardship,” he said.

“We are calling again on Australians to help us be there for the incredible number of people displaced by the floods.”

Salvation Army volunteers set up an evacuation centre – the charity has distributed 15,000 meals so far in flood disaster relief. Picture: Supplied

Woolworths has activated its in-store donation option across all store registers to help raise funds for the Salvos. Customers choosing to simply round up their Woolworths purchase from wherever they are in the country have helped raised $147,000 for the Salvation Army Flood Appeal in just three days.

All money raised will go directly to the Salvation Army’s frontline support of emergency crews and those evacuated from their homes.

Funds cover meals at evacuation centres, as well as later grants and support for the recovery still to come across these devastated communities – many of which are still recovering from last year’s floods and the 2019/2020 Black Summer fires.

The Salvation Army has itself been hit by the flooding, which its church in Grafton flooding on February 28. Picture: Mark Williamson

Flooding continues to hit stock supply, supermarket sites, staff and customers through road closures, flooding and dangerous conditions.

Woolworths Group CEO Brad Banducci said Woolworths’ thoughts were with all customers, teams and communities.

“In times of crisis it is critical that we act quickly and work better together to support those most in need,” he said.

The Woolworths Group and its customers have given almost $4 million in the past year alone. Slammed by the current floods along the eastern seaboard, partner charities the Salvation Army, Foodbank, Rural Aid and Lifeline can respond to each rapidly evolving crisis through Woolworths’ STAND program. Sales of STAND water at Woolworths has raised $32,000 in the past three days for these charities.

And from Saturday until March 20, Big W customers can also round up purchases over $15 or donate at the check out. All funds raised will go to Good360 to match and deliver essential items to charities and affected communities such as household cleaning products, clothes, bedding and towels.

A kind shoulder to lean on has been as welcome as a meal at the Lismore evacuation centre after the flooding disaster this week. Picture: Brendan Beirne/Salvation Army/supplied

Evacuees, emergency crews and volunteers in Lismore were able to get a meal from the Salvation Army after the flooding disaster this week. Picture: Brendan Beirne/Salvation Army/supplied