Congratulations to our Member of The Month The Big Umbrella Foundation, whose flood relief efforts have been an incredible source of help during the 2022 Floods, operating out of Lismore to provide new goods to communities on the ground. They have worked tirelessly to distribute furniture, and are continuing to help rebuild homes well after the media spotlight has dimmed. Read on to see their story and latest achievement, delivering donated furniture from Harvey Norman and Sherman to homes up in Lismore.
When did you join Good360?
The Big Umbrella Foundation saw the need when we were up in Lismore. This was around April 2022.
What programs do you use your Good360 donations for? Who does the program serve? How does it impact Australians in need?
Good360 has allowed us to help the people of Lismore recover from the floods. Recovery is going to be a long process and with a partnership with Good360 we can stand alongside Lismore. Without Good360 The Big Umbrella Foundation could not continue supporting the residents of Lismore.
What is your favourite moment/interaction that you have had with a client when utilising the Good360 product?
Good360 and Harvey Norman organised a delivery of furniture. We delivered furniture to three houses. The people we delivered the furniture to were so overwhelmed by the generosity. The houses we went into had no walls and the stories of survival were harrowing but the emotion shown was raw. The furniture gave people hope and gave them something to look forward to when their houses were livable again.
How does Good360 help your mission?
The Big Umbrella Foundationâs mission is to address issues affecting marginalised people in Melbourne, but we stepped into Lismore after seeing the need while we were there serving food to people who had lost everything. Part of our mission is to help those lacking in the most basic of human rights: access to food and housing. We saw these rights were lacking in Lismore and with the help of Good360 we are able to help.
What would happen if Good360 wasnât here to help?
Without the help of Good360 it would be hard for The Big Umbrella Foundation to still have a presence in Lismore. We would not have been able to deliver furniture and give people new mattresses to sleep on. Good360 have made the process of receiving goods for people in flood affected areas seamless. They do an amazing job behind the scenes helping charities like ours fulfill our mission.
What is your favourite donation you have received from Good360? Why?
The furniture from Harvey Norman and the mattresses from Sherman were donations that helped a lot of people in Lismore. The mattresses were given to people sleeping in sleeping bags on the floors of their unlivable houses. They were finally able to have a good night’s sleep. The furniture put smiles on peoples faces. These people lost everything and sat on their roofs waiting to be rescued. Insurance is not a thing in Lismore so people are using all of their money to do their best rebuilding. To walk into their homes with beautiful furniture was an amazing feeling. While The Big Umbrella Foundation received all the praise the real praise goes to Good360 for all the work they put in behind the scenes.
How many lives have you impacted through Good360âs donations?
The donations received changed the lives of about 16 people, while the umbrellas we received put a smile on the faces of about 600 people.
To learn more about The Big Umbrella Foundation, our member of the month, you can check out their work on their Facebook and Instagram pages, or read some of their incredible impact stories.
With Australia accelerating efforts towards circularity by 2030, it is critical that all sectors of the economy and society are working together collaboratively and cooperatively to address the increasing resource constraints, inequities in resource allocation and growing waste challenges. This requires consumers, businesses, governments, and the charitable sector to all play their part in creating a more sustainable and equitable future for all, recognising we are all part of a collective dynamic ecosystem that is co-creating our future together.
Congratulations to our Member of the Month for March, Uniting Vic.Tas. Uniting Vic.Tas run several programs to assist communities in need and provide donations from Good360 in addition to services they provide. Since becoming a member in 2018, they have shared numerous impact stories of the joy they have created, especially to communities who have not experienced outreach previously. Read below on some of their programs and some special stories they have experienced on the ground.
March 8 is International Womenâs Day, and this year UN Women Australiaâs 2023 theme is âCracking the Code: Innovation for a gender equal futureâ. This brings an opportunity for everyone to acknowledge the power of innovative technologies and systems in the advancement of women, who are marginalised globally and have a smaller presence in the digital world. We are also challenged to address the current barriers in place that keep women stagnant and play our small part to welcome women to move through society as comfortably as men.
