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No cupboard to be bare in tough times thanks to MHC

Posted at 05 Aug 2021

 

Anyone who has met or spoken with Val Stewart of Mothers Hubbard’s cupboard walks away with their cup a little more full. Val is an inspiring local and founder of Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard inc an organisation that helps to provide furniture and household goods as well as linen, crockery and even food to survivors of domestic violence, those experiencing homelessness or significant hardship. Val works alongside various charities, with the Macarthur Homelessness steering committee and runs an op shop six days per week (normally) where all money raised goes back into supporting the needs of the local community.

 

 

Val founded the business and has been involved ever since, expanding from just 4 volunteers back in May 2008 to over 75 volunteers.  COVID has meant that the 2 shop fronts in both Elderslie and the new store at Picton have needed to close, with most of our volunteers staying at home for everyone’s safety. However, delivery to needy families has remained active with a few volunteers, and 2 men on the truck doing the deliveries out of the Elderslie premises. This is an especially difficult time with support workers not able to function as they might normally by interviewing face to face, find housing, but the referrals are still coming slowly through to us and it is expected that there will be an increase in demand when the restrictions ease.

 

 

Pictured: Mother Hubbarbs cupboard shop in Elderslie is stocked with items with all money going directly back into the community.

 

Wests was so proud to be able to support Mother Hubbard’s cupboard with a $3000 Grant towards the winter warmth campaign and despite special initiatives like the Homeless hub being cancelled have been able to adapt,  ordering blankets and essential winter items online to make up winter packs. Packs have been going out at around 20-30 per month with people reaching out because they are in some financial hardship during this period; and others whose families would normally support them, but can’t right now because of the COVID restrictions.

 

 

In addition Wests has committed an additional $5,000 in funding towards home establishment packs which will include laundry items and other household essentials for people looking to establish themselves in a new home following feeling a Domestic Violence situation or finding themselves in new accommodation. These will be available in the next few months.

 

 

For people needing urgent assistance or seeking help, the best way to secure support is through a support agency or caseworker who can help meet their overall needs using MHC as one possible partner for eg. Furniture would be facilitated through support workers and MHC Furniture manager.  Alternatively if the need is different and you think MHC can help, then by phone by ringing the shop on 02 9191 4999 and leaving a message.  Val shares ‘she doesn’t want anyone slipping through the cracks during these very tough times’.

 

 

Mother Hubbard’s cupboard was founded with the intent of not leaving any cupboards bare for those in difficult situations and is a wonderful example of the generosity and spirit of the people and community in Macarthur.

 

 

 

 

 

For more on Mother Hubbard’s cupboard visit   https://mhccamden.com.au/