Port Phillip Community Group

On Monday, August 26th, we had the pleasure of visiting Foodbank in Yarraville. Jennifer, Community Relationship Coordinator, from Foodbank gave us an insightful tour of their bustling warehouse, where the vital work of alleviating hunger in Victoria happens every day.

Our visit was made even more special with the presence of our placement students, Haoyi and Nikolas from University, who are pursuing their Master of Social Work. Nikolas shared his reflections on the experience:

“I noticed that Foodbank provides an adequate, well-equipped and inclusive environment for their employees and volunteers – without this, it would be hard for the organisation to work towards relieving hunger in Victoria. In noticing this, it ignited the phrase ‘the whole is greater than the sum of the parts’.”

As a charity partner with Foodbank, Port Phillip Community Group is grateful for this collaboration. Thank you, Foodbank Victoria, for your continued partnership with PPCG. We eagerly anticipate our ongoing efforts together to support our local communities. RMIT University

C Care Brigidine Asylum Seekers Project Souper Christ Church Community Centre - the Little St Kilda Mission SouthPort Community Centre

We would like to acknowledge and send a HUGE thank you to Kiwanis Brighton Bayside for their generous donation of 100 hygiene packs to our Share the Food program! These packs have started to benefit many people from our local communities.

Maintaining hygiene is an important aspect to optimal health and wellbeing. Therefore, it should be accessible to everyone.

It was big smiles yesterday when Pay A Sack Forward - PASF generously donated a big shop to support our emergency relief program. Matt and Ryan did an incredible job ensuring we have a range of food options for people experiencing homelessness and with limited cooking facilities.

If you want to share the love, find out how you can support this amazing organisation - https://payasackforward.com/

Can you donate the cost of a coffee this Homelessness Week? These grants provide organisations like ours with much needed funds to support people in our community who are experiencing homelessness. So grab a cuppa for a good cause! ☕🥰

Thanks to everyone who dropped by our stall at the South Melbourne Market today to show support for Homelessness Week. It was so beautiful to see community members from all walks of life write what home means for them- and to have a special visit from our friends at StreetSmart Australia who are big supporters in this space.

We will be displaying these houses in our community centres during August, so please drop in and have a look, or create an origami house of your own!

If you are looking for a sweet way to spend your Saturday, head along to Upton Rd for their fundraiser plant sale! Stock up on seedlings and enjoy a coffee, BBQ and contributing to ending youth homelessness. 🌱

Sat 20 July, 11am -1pm
4B Upton Rd, St Kilda

Sending a big thank you to Share the Dignity for the generous donation of 100 toiletry packs for women. Each pack has a handwritten note of care and are so thoughtfully packaged. Wellbeing and healthcare is so important, and we appreciate all that you do to help women!

Have you booked in for your cooking classes yet...? 🧑‍🍳

It's nearly NAIDOC week and this year we celebrate the unyielding spirit of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and the rich tapestry of cultures.

'KEEP THE FIRE BURNING! BLAK, LOUD AND PROUD is about the reclamation of narratives, an amplification of voices, and an unwavering commitment to justice and equality.

There are many ways you can get involved this NAIDOC week - whether through creativity, conversation, listening or sharing. Here are a few free local events, and you can find out more at https://www.naidoc.org.au/

We have loved partnering with OzHarvest to bring the NEST program to this community. We look forward to more delicious dishes to come.

If you would like to check out our classes for next term, visit: https://www.ppcg.org.au/courses-and-activities/

This tax time, we are reaching out to 100 local business to donate $100 to our Port Phillip community! Every dollar donated will be directly invested in supporting our most vulnerable community members deal with the cost-of-living crisis. Many people are struggling to meet their basic needs, so we are reaching out to the neighbourhood for support.

If you are, or know of a business who would like to donate, please visit https://www.givenow.com.au/100from100

Khadija generously volunteers her time with PPCG's 'Share the Food' program. She spoke very little English when she joined us, but in two months she has built her confidence to connect and chat with other volunteers.

She told us that in Afghanistan women are not allowed to work, study or even go out without a man to es**rt them out. She believes in every woman's right to freedom and is happy to have hers back after fleeing the Taliban.

This week (and every week) we celebrate all refugees in our community. You are welcome here!

We will be closed on Monday for the public holiday. If you need food assistance over the long weekend, check out the local food relief guide:
https://www.portphillip.vic.gov.au/media/zpzges0t/copp-food-directory-guide-2024-v4.pdf

Happy National Volunteer Week 2024!
This week we recognise and celebrate the wonderful contributions of our volunteers. We couldn't do what we do without them 🥰
We held a lovely Morning Tea today with guests including (who handed out thank you certificates and new PPCG t-shirts to volunteers), Cr Tim Baxter & Simone Jamieson from , members of our board and PPCG staff.
More images to come!
John Berger MP City Of Port Phillip

Happy Neighbourhood House Week 😍
We are excited to invite you to enter our Art & Storytelling competition.
We want to know what’s good about your neighbourhood. What makes you smile? What makes you stronger together? What do you love most? etc.

Draw, paint, photograph or tell us a story.
You have until 16 June 2024 to submit your entry. The winning work will be shown on our social media and be displayed at ARCH.

Neighbourhood Houses Victoria

Food Security funding across Victoria has been given a boost with a statewide grant program.
John Berger MP Nina Taylor MP Ros Spence MP Sam Hibbins City Of Port Phillip Neighbourhood Houses Victoria

13-19 May are this year's dates😍
Neighbourhood Houses Victoria

STRONGER TOGETHER! Neighbourhood House Week 2024!

Celebrate Neighbourhood and Community Houses and Centres (NCHC) Week with the empowering theme "Stronger Together"! This week is a tribute to the incredible strength that blossoms when diverse individuals unite for a common purpose. As Helen Keller wisely said, "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much."

Neighbourhood and Community Houses and Centres (NCHCs) all throughout Australia are the heart of the local community. We strive to embody the essence of togetherness. We bring people from all walks of life together to connect, learn, and play. Through collaborative initiatives, inclusive programs, and shared spaces, we cultivate an environment where every voice is heard, every story is valued, and every member contributes to the vibrant mosaic of our shared community.

This week, join us in simple acts of togetherness—whether it's a shared meal, a collaborative project, or just a friendly chat. Together, we'll explore the incredible strength that emerges when we stand side by side. Let's celebrate community, weaving stronger bonds that make our neighborhood a wonderous place to call home!

Check out what's on at your local Neighbourhood House, and find out more here: https://www.nhvic.org.au/nhw

Don't forget to tag in you NHW celebrations!