Sunday 15th November, 2009
Media Release
Wesley calls on all Victorians to help support struggling families
Thousands of Victorian children are at risk of going to bed each night without a
meal,” said Poul Bottern, CEO of Wesley Mission Melbourne. “Despite reports in
the media that Australia appears to be largely sheltered from the Global Financial
Crisis – Victorian families are still certainly feeling the effects”.
In launching Wesley Mission Melbourne’s annual Food for families Appeal Mr
Bottern noted that increasingly families are being forced to make impossible
choices every day. “Imagine being forced to choose between breakfasts or rent;
lunch or a child’s medication.”
With over 23,000 Victorians already experiencing homelessness, the economic
downturn has exacerbated the problem by raising unemployment and placing a
greater strain on families. Wesley has seen an increase in demand for services
and with Christmas approaching is asking Victorians to help by providing non-
perishable food.
People can help by placing non-perishable food items into specially marked bins
at participating Woolworths stores. Alternatively people can look for donation
coupons in their local Leader newspapers.
More information about the appeal and a list of participating stores can be found
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Media contacts:
For further information please contact: Andrew Blyberg 0401 691 666, ablyberg@wesley.org.au or Cassie
Wells: 0466 205 772, cwells@wesley.org.au .
About Wesley Mission Melbourne
Wesley Mission Melbourne provides services for people who are at risk of homelessness, people with disabilities, youth
and families in crisis and older people. A community service organisation of the Uniting Church, Wesley advocates for
better community and government responses to situations of need, and seeks to educate the wider public to change
underlying attitudes and values about disadvantaged people.
NEWS 
