When this time of year rolls around, East Albury IGA owner Bob Mathews remembers how hard it can be on some people.
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On those suffering from homelessness, fleeing domestic violence and struggling financially.
“It’s alright for me, I’ve got a wife, children, grandchildren, so I don’t really notice it myself,” he said.
“But there’s a lot of people by themselves at Christmas, and it can be a very sad time as well as a very enjoyable time.”
That’s why Mr Mathews’ store and St Vincent de Paul Society formed a partnership five years ago for the charity’s Christmas appeal.
A tree has been erected in the East Albury store for the community to donate presents to some of the Border’s young who will be doing it tough on December 25.
Michael Mealor, who has an intellectual disability, recently started working at East Albury IGA, and helped put the tree up.
“He does fruit and veggies, breaking the bananas up, and loves his work,” Mr Mathews said.
“It works really well.”
Mr Mathews hopes the appeal will do well, as many people pass through the store’s doors every week.
“People prefer to give presents over money,” he said.
“There’s envelopes for boys, girls and different age groups.
“St Vinnies will come around, pick up the presents and give them to children.
“For some, it will make their Christmas.”
Mr Matthews said it was a good opportunity for all Border businesses to do their bit for the needy.
“It frustrates me that the government doesn’t do more to solve these problems,” Mr Matthews said.
The launch of the appeal comes as St Vincent de Paul called on Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to provide long-term funding for homelessness services instead of just one-year band-aids.
But Mr Turnbull announced the federal government would put aside $177 million for the homelessness sector for only an extra year until the middle of 2018 before the COAG meeting in Canberra on Friday.
St Vincent’s national council chief executive, Dr John Falzon, said the agreement was “rolled over every one or two years, often at the last minute, leaving the sector unable to employ and retain quality staff”.
“This drip-feeding of funding impacts on the individuals and families left without support,” he said.
