Surplus goods donated to Generation Life Church in Lavington have been distributed to members of the community during an open day.
The Union Road church in the former Prime 7 building opened its doors for a lunchtime barbecue yesterday, with more than 500 hoodies and 150 blankets available for people to access.
Pastor Matthew Spokes said the airline blankets and jumpers had been donated to them.
"We have businesses that give us their surplus stuff, and we've just been trying to get it out as much as we can," he said.
"Last year we got a pellet of toothpaste and a pellet of hand sanitiser.
"Being winter, it was the perfect time to hand out the blankets and hoodies, so we decided to have an open day."
Like any community group, Generation Life Church has been hearing of the impact of the pandemic and housing crisis with one person unsuccessfully applying for 160 houses.
Volunteer Suzi Eli said the church took support to the homes of many people last year.
"We dropped off packs to people's homes," she said.
"I was talking to a lady today, who's just feeling really isolated, she said there's not much out there just to connect people and she appreciated that today."
Pastor Spokes said the church held regular activities during the week including mothers' and youth groups to provide support but most of those were impacted last year.
"We put together about 400 Hope packs that we handed out throughout last year," he said.
"That was after some of the Riverina guys were making beds for firies and helping with that response.
"We try and help and give a bit of hope - just let people know that they can get support and actually steering them in the right direction.
"This is one of those ways we can do that."
Generation Life Church, a member of the Australian Christian Churches, bought the former Prime7 block in 2016.
IN OTHER NEWS:
"We renovated and now we have our services in there," she said.
"We have community stuff at the front, with a play space for families."
Volunteer Eda Smith spent the afternoon speaking to people who attended and said it was an important opportunity to connect socially in a challenging time.
"It's been a great turn out," she said.
The Living Bean, Mission Australia, Mungabareena Aboriginal Corporation and Connecting Cultures Albury Wodonga were supporters of the day.
"People are appreciative of anything that they can get," Pastor Spokes said.
