Perth Homeless Support Group receives funding boost

PERTH Homeless Support Group’s (PHSG) work helping the homeless has received a boost, with a $1000 grant from P&N Bank.

Perth branch manager Jessica Mills nominated the group for the award

“We have a lot of homeless people that come into our branch. Ron (Reid, PHSG president) had come in one day and we got chatting about it. I have been quite involved since then. I have got to know a lot of homeless people quite well,” she told Guardian Express.

“The group goes out for walks and gives the care-packs to homeless people. As well as food there are hygiene products, it just makes their lives a little bit easier,” she said.

The grant, part of P&N’s Helping Hands program, will go towards making care-packs.

The Group estimates they help between 50 and 70 homeless people each weekend.

In early December, a group of volunteers from PHSG will meet in Northbridge and spend three hours walking through Perth and Northbridge distributing the care-packs, and food and coffee vouchers to the homeless.

Mr Reid said the grant will greatly assist the homeless maintain dignity.

“Our Group takes a hands-on approach by responding to the needs in a practical way, so this grant will go a long way to assist us produce more care-packs,” he said.

“We believe everyone can make a difference to a homeless person’s day simply by buying them a meal, offering food, water or toiletries, even buying them a coffee.”

Ms Mills said the bank was “thrilled” to be able to help Mr Reid and all the volunteers from Perth Homeless Support Group.

“Helping Hands is about empowering P&N Bank members to nominate worthy individuals and groups in our community and, in the case of groups, affording them the opportunity to decide where community funds are distributed,” she said.

Anyone who wants to support the Group can find out more at www.perthhomeless.org.au.