Every Thursday afternoon at 3.30pm, the Vinnie’s Van will pull up to the Illawarra Women’s Health Centre in Warilla, offering more than meals, bringing a sense of safety, support, and dignity to women who need a helping hand.
In a new partnership between the Illawarra WHC and the St Vincent de Paul Society NSW, the van, staffed with female volunteers, will visit the Centre to provide freshly prepared meals, sandwiches, fruit, bread and drinks.
The volunteers are also able to provide menstrual products, underwear, scarves, socks, sleeping bags and blankets to anyone who needs them.
“We’re hoping that as word spreads, more women will feel comfortable accessing the service,” Margaret Semkiw, the van’s acting co-ordinator said.
“We’re also asking visitors to find out what else they need – like children’s underwear or particular toiletry items – so we can tailor what we bring.”
The service is expanding in response to a growing need. Volunteer numbers and meal counts have risen across the Illawarra recently, driven by the cost of living crisis and a chronic shortage of affordable housing. In some locations like Berkeley, weekly visitor numbers have nearly quadrupled.
In Wollongong and Warrawong, the number of people coming to the van has increased by 50 per cent with more families seeking help.
When the bus visits the Illawarra WHC, the focus is firmly on women and children.
“It’s about more than food,” said Ms Semkiw. “It’s about knowing someone sees you, listens to you, and wants to help.”
The Vinnie’s Van is at the Illawarra Women’s Health Centre at 3.30pm every Thursday. Contact the Centre for more information.
