Time to help a family in need
THE Queensland Times Adopt-a-Family appeal is on again and, for the first time, Ipswich families can now donate in the heart of Riverlink Shopping Centre.
Adopt-a-Family volunteers will accept food, toys and financial donations at the new stand outside the Coles supermarket from now until December 20.
A second location in the old Stockman's Cafe in the Ipswich City Mall is also in operation, where volunteers pack hampers and accept donations.
Adopt-a-Family co-ordinator Bernadette Mohr said she was looking forward to participating in her 20th appeal.
"I've already had phone calls asking when the appeal is starting, which shows how important it is to the Ipswich community," Ms Mohr said.
"The need increases every year and we gave away 400 hampers last year but donations were a little down after the floods.
"We have great support this year already so we think it will be bigger than ever. People can drop off any non-perishable items at the stands and they will be made up into emergency hampers."
Community groups across Ipswich have already identified the neediest families in the local community, Ipswich Ministers Fellowship president Pastor Fred Muys said.
"Throughout the year organisations like Harvest Rain and churches get approaches from hundreds of families suffering real hardship," Mr Muys said.
Both the Riverlink and the Ipswich City Mall locations will be manned by volunteers from the Compassion Connection Church.
The Riverlink stand is open Monday to Wednesday and Friday 8.30am-5.30pm, Thursday 8.30am-8.30pm, and Saturday and Sunday 8.30am-4pm.
The Ipswich City Mall stand is open now until December 18, Monday to Friday 8.30am-4pm.
