Good deeds and reads as Sunraysia shows compassion

RANDOM acts of kindness in the form of community Facebook groups are connecting Sunraysia residents with essential items that are in short supply due to coronavirus panic buying.

The “Need something 3500 & surrounds” group allows members to share supplies they have excess of or to ask for items they cannot find or get access to.

Since its creation on Tuesday, the group has welcomed nearly 2000 members who are sharing or seeking everything from baby formula and onions, to hand sanitiser and what has become its most in-demand item; toilet paper.

Some members have even offered their time to assist the elderly and people with a disability with transport to medical services or to the supermarket.

Group creator Katrina Costantinides said she organised the group after her aunt had seen success with a similar group in a small Australian town.

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“We thought it would be a great idea as there are already so many people going without and also to assist those vulnerable in the community, like the elderly and disabled and to help bring the community together,” she said.

Ms Costantinides stressed in times like these, it was important to remember that “kindness and unity is the way forward” and said anyone was welcome to join the group.

Another Facebook group called “Mildura grocery help” has also been created with the same purpose: to spread community kindness.

More than 900 residents have engaged with the group, with members sharing tips of where to find grocery essentials or to offer their support.

The creation of the online groups comes as Prime Minister Scott Morrison lashed out at Australians stockpiling and hoarding supermarket supplies in a press conference on Wednesday.

“I can’t be more blunt about it, stop it,” he said.

Empathy hopes

MILDURA councillor Helen Healy says she hopes the community has a new “emergence that lasts around empathy and kindness” as the world grapples with the coronavirus outbreak.

The creation of community Facebook groups to connect residents with grocery and transport support has inspired Cr Healy to also lend a helping hand.

One of those acts of kindness was giving rolls of toilet paper to a resident without the essential item through the “Need something 3500 & surrounds” group Cr Healy was invited to join.

“One of the things that have resonated with me is that pandemics have no borders, but compassion doesn’t have to,” she said.

“And one of the very first things I did was put a tin full of books out the front of my house and labelled it ‘looks like we’ll be staying home a bit more here’s some books to read’.

“Then when I joined the Facebook group and let it be known that I over ordered my ‘who gives a crap’ toilet paper and had plenty to offer.

“A woman I’d never met before who hadn’t seen toilet paper for a week popped around and I gave her three rolls, she was really grateful.”

Cr Healy applauded the community for uniting in unprecedented times of uncertainty and urged residents to continue to support each other.

“I think its really wonderful how we’re looking out for each other,” she said.

“We’ll see all sorts of fall-outs, and dreadful fall-outs as far as economic terms go.

“We really have to not only look after our community, but find ways to look out for out retail and hospitality sector and help them in their initiatives.”