City of Melbourne and Vasey RSL Care join forces for Homelessness Week

The City of Melbourne has marked Homelessness Week by highlighting the role of its flagship housing initiative, Make Room, while joining forces with Vasey RSL Care to provide food hampers for residents doing it tough.

On August 7, representatives from the City of Melbourne and Vasey RSL Care came together at Make Room, located at 602 Little Bourke St, for a ceremonial handover of 50 food hampers filled with non-perishable items.

The hampers were assembled through a donation drive involving Vasey RSL Care staff, residents, families and the wider community, symbolising a collective show of support for people experiencing homelessness.

The initiative is part of Vasey RSL Care’s first self-led food drive for Homelessness Week.

Traditionally, the veteran support organisation has partnered with other community services to provide meals and support during the week. This year, it decided to lead its own initiative, drawing on its extensive network to provide direct support to those most in need.

The council’s community, health and city services portfolio lead Cr Gladys Liu praised both the Make Room initiative and Vasey RSL Care’s contribution.

“Make Room is helping some of our most vulnerable residents in a time of real need with a roof over their head, a safe place to call home and wrap-around support services,” Cr Liu said.

“Homelessness is something that people experience; it is not who they are. It can happen to anyone, at any point in their lives.”

Cr Liu added that the hampers reflected the goodwill and generosity driving Make Room since its inception.

“In Homelessness Week, we sincerely thank Vasey RSL Care for showing support and leadership in providing care packages that could make all the difference to those in need,” she added.

Make Room, which opened earlier this year, provides secure supportive housing for up to 50 tenants experiencing rough sleeping or chronic homelessness. Residents can stay for up to 12 months or until they transition into long-term housing. The program is delivered in partnership with the Victorian Government, Unison Housing, Cohealth and philanthropic partners.

Vasey RSL Care Acting CEO Tamara Paton said the food drive highlighted the organisation’s commitment to supporting both veterans and the broader community.

“We wanted to draw on the strength of our network to make a real difference this Homelessness Week,” Ms Paton said. “By leading our own food drive, we’ve been able to bring together residents, staff, and community members to directly support people who are doing it tough.”

She said the initiative had been inspiring to watch unfold.

“It has been inspiring to see the generosity of our community, and to know that our efforts will help initiatives like Make Room, which provide safe housing and wrap-around support for those in need. Every donation is a reminder that compassion is one of our greatest strengths.”

The hampers will also benefit Community Support Frankston and members of Vasey RSL Care’s V Centre and Ex-Service Accommodation Program.