The scriptures enjoin us to care for the stranger who lives among us. Refugees have come to us as people who have experienced much trauma and pain and seeking our help. Our country has not always welcomed these strangers in the way that we aught. Three Bendigo community groups – Grandmothers for Refugees, Amnesty and Rural Australians for Refugees – are seeking support for their annual Food Drive for the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre. Those most in need are asylum seekers on Temporary Protection Visas that don’t allow them to work or receive Centrelink benefits. Food donations can be left in collection boxes at each Woolworths supermarket or at the Bendigo Library. Tinned tuna, tinned vegetables, dried chickpeas, lentils, yellow split peas, olive or vegetable oil, coconut cream or milk, UHT milk, tea bags, instant coffee and tomato paste would be very much appreciated. We ask that you might show your love for refugees through your generosity in supporting our food drive. The drive concludes Thursday 30th June.
Thank you, Gillian Wells, on behalf of Bendigo RAR jandg@wellsoz.net