With a helping hand from Kinetic’s Moving Communities Fund, Melbourne-based organisation, Big Group Hug, is set for another big year of supporting youth and families experiencing poverty in Melbourne.
More than 350 volunteers and over 1000 support workers across 147 health and welfare services help Big Group Hug support local communities to tackle child poverty by distributing essential items for children.
Big Group Hug was established in 2014 by Angela Wood and Geraldine Camilleri who were driven to redistribute their own pre-loved items to families in the local area who needed them.
Now over ten years later, Big Group Hug distribute more than 124,000 items to young people across Victoria.
Receiving $10,000 through Kinetic’s Moving Communities Fund, the support will help Big Group Hug deliver essential items and hampers to families in need.
Bernadene Voss, Big Group Hug CEO said that the funding from Kinetic has been a life-line, filling an immediate need to pack and distribute aid items with care and love for families throughout Melbourne and beyond.
“These packages aren’t just practical – they’re gifts. We want families to feel proud and delighted when they receive them, and Kinetic’s contribution ensures we can keep delivering that sense of dignity and joy,” she said.
“Last year we were able to help 7,156 children by giving them care packages filled with clothing, toiletries, toys and baby items. This incredible impact is only possible thanks to our amazing volunteers and generous community members who donate new and pre-loved items.”
Ms Voss said the impact goes beyond the number of items, with their work being a win for the environment as well as families.
“We’re proud to say that we diverted 110.5 tonnes of usable items from landfill,” she said.
“And for our 350 volunteers and staff, we’ve created a community where everyone feels they belong. That sense of belonging and inclusion is something we’re incredibly proud of.”
Kinetic Executive General Manager – VIC/NSW/TAS, Graham Smith, said that supporting organisations like Big Group Hug is integral to Kinetic’s mission.
“We’re in a special position to be able to influence and give back to the communities where we operate,” he said.
“Big Group Hug are making a huge impact on our local communities and we’re pleased to recognise their hard work through our Moving Communities Fund.”
Big Group Hug’s community contribution has been recently recognised, winning the City of Whittlesea Business Award for Community Contribution (May 2024), and as a finalist in the Nillumbik Community Volunteer of the Year (August 2024).
To learn more about Big Group Hug and how to support them, visit: biggrouphug.org
Further enquiries
Emmanuelle Brizuela
Specialist - Communications
0460 615 604
emmanuelle.brizuela@wearekinetic.com