A health crisis turns into an economic crisis
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Fast Facts
Online groups held during COVID-19
Clients through our food shops
Food parcels distributed
A health crisis turns into an economic crisis
The COVID-19 pandemic triggered a public health crisis and for a great many of our clients, an economic crisis. In March 2020, BaptistCare HopeStreet received over double the amount of calls than the month prior. In April 2020, that number increased five-fold.
At some of our locations, our large emergency relief packs were delivered to doorsteps once a week and included basic pantry needs, bread, fresh fruit and vegetables, frozen meats, toiletries, and care products. In other places, clients visited in person, and were safely provided with takeaway meals or food hampers. You can read more about the support our teams provided here.
At a time when the level of disadvantage and distress was growing, we found new ways to safely provide essential services. This included:
- HopeStreet Mayfield provided wellness checks, food and support to rough sleepers from our Street Outreach van.
- Families in our supported playgroups received children’s activity packs.
- HopeStreet Port Kembla delivered healthy takeaway meals, and Bible readings and prayers via SMS.
While many of our clients benefitted greatly from the increased government benefits available through the new Jobseeker payment, we knew this would likely have an end date resulting in families again having to live on $40 a day, and that is something the BaptistCare HopeStreet team will be preparing for.