IT’S only been running for three months, but Orange’s Pay It Forward Community Shed is already helping 15 households a week with so many donations it has had to put a freeze on some items.
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Co-founders Karlie Irwin and Sharon-Lee Stevenson said they put together five home-starter packs a week full of crockery, small appliances and other household items and as many as 10 clothing bundles for people in need.
This is on top of the donations of furniture, fridges, washing machines and mattresses delivered to the James Ryan Drive garage daily, and waiting lists are starting to grow.
But an overflow of bric-a-brac donations meant a freeze was implemented briefly until some more packs could be distributed.
“As soon as we’re getting stuff out, we’re getting stuff in,” Ms Irwin said.
“We haven’t even needed to market it, it’s been amazing,” Ms Stevenson said.
In addition to the day-to-day transfer of items, the shed has run appeals for specific causes, including a two-year-old girl from Darwin who was brought to live in Orange after her mother died suddenly.
“Since she left everything back at home, we found things to make her comfortable and make it easy to take care of her,” Ms Irwin said.
There was a second appeal for an 18-year-old girl who had become homeless due to difficult family circumstances and needed items when she received basic accommodation.
“She’s come back positive, and she said she’s going to get a job and those things are going to help her get there,” Ms Stevenson said.
Riding the momentum, the duo has plans for expansion, hoping to buy a community utility vehicle to help volunteers and people in need move items around.
They are also discussing setting up formal premises with a potential sponsor.
To raise money for the ute, anyone who contributes a gold coin donation will go into the draw to win $2000-worth of new household items on April 30.
Any usable items such as whitegoods, household furniture and non-perishable food items are welcome, but donors are encouraged to contact the Pay It Forward Community Shed Facebook page first to check what is needed most.
danielle.cetinski@fairfaxmedia.com.au