SICK of waiting for politicians and councils to tackle poverty, the Border's welfare agencies are focussing on community action.
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The Albury Wodonga Emergency Relief Providers Network is staging an array of activities from Monday for Anti-Poverty Week.
A summit at La Trobe University on Thursday will feature that institution's Darran Stonehouse and Albury lawyer Chris Halburd, who will speak on inequality in society.
Network spokeswoman Alison Reed said her group, which includes health and housing bodies, wanted a groundswell to combat poverty-related issues such as homelessness.
"It's about who's doing what and what can change and not having a silo mentality," Mrs Reed said.
"It's about a collective effort of the community, what we do and who does what and how we better address these issues.
"Usually people don't want to have a bar of it, particularly politicians who don't want to fund it.
"This shows the community can own it and lobby for change.
"We're hoping to create some momentum and attract some doers.
"You can't wait for councils, you can't wait for politicians."
In addition to the summit and a barbecue on Friday, which will feature the founder of the Bendigo for Homelessness Youth, a five-day challenge will be staged across the week.
Participants do a different activity each day such as sleeping in the same room, no coffee, no shower, going without a food appliance and restricting your diet to noodles.
"These small inconviences are a little taste of what people go through," Mrs Reed said.
One of the coffee abstainers will be drug courier Mark Cassimatis usually downs four to five cups per day.
"It will be hard," Mr Cassimatis said.
"I'm thinking of just smashing down teas instead; I'll overdose on teas."
More information about Anti-Poverty Week events in Albury-Wodonga can be found at www.facebook.com/AWERPN.
