How you can help an ACT student living below the poverty line

As a community, Canberrans are remarkable at coming together when the chips are down. This is why charities with a local focus gain strong momentum here, as we rally to help friends and neighbours going through tough times.

GIVIT is one such charity designed to match generosity with genuine need.

Local charities, community groups and schools use the GIVIT website to ask for items that are needed. Donators can then “GIVIT” if they have spare or unwanted items at home, or “FUND” the charity to purchase it on their behalf.

Currently, GIVIT is running a Back to School appeal to help struggling ACT students who are settling into the new school year.

LJ Hooker in the ACT has partnered with GIVIT to support the appeal, collecting items for more than 166 packs so far. Items needed range from backpacks to lunchboxes, water bottles, laptops, USB sticks, and more.

Lindsey Burne, Franchise Owner at LJ Hooker in Dickson, says “We’re very pleased to be able to partner with GIVIT because they provide real and practical support to Canberrans in need.

“A great education is foundational to a child and their future, and we’re very happy to take part in anything we can do to help them have a good start. It’s not too late to support this campaign – GIVIT are accepting donations via LJ Hooker offices until February 28, and we will continue to work with GIVIT in Canberra to ensure there are other opportunities for the community to support GIVIT via LJ Hooker in the future.”

GIVIT ACT Manager, Caroline Odgers, says the Back to School partnership is especially important this year as there are now over 8,000 children in the ACT living below the poverty line.

“When we met with LJ Hooker’s local team, we realised there were so many synergies between us - GIVIT always looks for quality items, and LJ Hooker has access to a large network of potential donors, such as tenants who could donate things they no longer need while moving home.

“Poverty affects every aspect of a child’s life, particularly their education. Kids who go to school hungry, with their shoes falling apart and without a jumper in winter, feel they don’t fit in. GIVIT is here to help ensure as many young people as possible have the chance to put a tough 12 months behind them and start 2021 on the front foot.”

Another Canberra property business, ACT Property Inspections, also has an ongoing GIVIT campaign that makes it easy for people selling their homes to donate unwanted items to GIVIT. During the property inspection, the ACT Property Inspections team pick up the donated items and drop them off to the charity in need.

“GIVIT is a fantastic platform and a great way to help people in our community who really need our support,” says Rob Lowe, Director of ACT Property Inspections. “Items like washing machines and fridges are always in high demand, and we often don’t think about the positive effect it could have on someone who lives without the things we take for granted.

“Selling your home is one of those times in life when you get to take stock of what you have, and decide if you really need it. So this is one way we knew we could help make a greater difference in the community.”

To contribute items or donate to the Back to School appeal, or see other items in need, please visit GIVIT.