The Hellenic Initiative (THI) Australia has called on the Greek community of Australia to give their support to vulnerable communities in Greece this winter.

THI said that the donations of any amount would be directed to identified areas of need and that all donations to the organisation were tax deductible in Australia.

In a statement issued yesterday to coincide with Giving Tuesday, a global event the organisation said: “We appreciate any amount you can contribute and here is what your donation can do:

• $50 can purchase a care package with basic necessities;

•  $75 can purchase three Hope Boxes providing 18 kg of food produce or a food voucher;

• $100 can enable a person sleeping rough or an elderly person to have one bag of clothes laundered weekly, for five months by a mobile laundry service;

• $250 can provide access to psychological support services; and

• $500 can provide temporary accommodation, one-off rental assistance for struggling families who are facing eviction and require assistance with utility bills.”

READ MORE: THI Australia renews grants to Greek education and community programs

Last year THI Australia raised $100,000 for donations to its Winter Appeal and grants that were awarded to Doctors of the World Greece.

The THI Australia said in its statement that the money raised had provided:

• Six tonnes of food produce to three charities, Aspres Petaloudes (Volos), Kivotos tou Kosmou (Chios, Epirus, Kalamata), and Konstanteio Home for the Elderly (Kavala);

• Access to monthly supermarket vouchers for families living below the poverty line for a six- month period, with access to psychological support

• The delivery of hundreds of care packages, PPE kits, and over a thousand hot meals in Athens and Thessaloniki; and

•  Temporary accommodation and rental assistance for destitute families.

“So please join us and make a difference to people who find themselves at very low and vulnerable points in their lives this winter,” THI said in its statement.

♦ To make a donation, visit The Hellenic Initiative Australia Foundation Limited webpage.