Farmer News
1 April, 2025
It takes a village
THE old adage ‘It takes a village to raise a child’ rings true when it comes to the work undertaken by the ‘Loved and Shared’ organisation.
An initiative that stemmed from the Leadership Great South Coast participant program of 2020, ‘Loved and Shared’ is a not-for-profit organisation that provides an avenue for people to donate clothing, shoes and other necessities that can be re-gifted to those in need.
Executive officer with ‘Loved and Shared,’ Tyson Jakitsch, said the organisation works in partnership with the community to gift and re-home quality nursery and children’s goods.
This ensures that all families have access to essential resources needed to raise thriving children, while reducing the amount of goods sent to landfill in the region.
“The latest information states that there are over 3,300 children living in poverty in our region and we are trying to alleviate the pressure on those families by supplying those goods,” Mr Jakitsch said.
“We work with other agencies who will call and let us know what families need and we will try to provide those items. The agency will then come and pick up those items and deliver them to those families.”
Twenty per cent of the population aged 0-8 are considered vulnerable on one or more of the five critical childhood development criterias in south west Victoria, which is significantly higher than the state average.
It is also believed that over 4,500 children in our region live in poverty without access to the essential resources needed to grow and thrive.
And tonnes of high-quality nursery and children’s items are sent to landfill each year.
Through ‘Loved and Shared’ clothing for babies and children, shoes, accessories, linen and bedding, nursery equipment and accessories, toiletries, toys and books can all be donated.
“We’re so grateful for donations from our generous and caring community,” Mr Jakitsch said.
“We ask that all donations are in excellent, clean, safe and working condition. We only re-home donated items that you would gift to your most cherished friend.
“Donated items are to be placed in a cardboard box or reusable bag.
“We re-home new and in good condition preloved baby and children’s clothing from size 00000 to 16.”
All donated clothing must be clean or freshly laundered.
Also welcome are donations of pre-loved shoes for babies through to youth (clean and in pairs).
Donors are asked to ensure there are no strings, laces, ribbon or detachable parts on infant and baby shoes up to the age of 12 months.
With so many families facing tough times, donations of linen and bedding are always appreciated.
“We also hold donation drives where a school or club, for example, can apply for a collection bin,” Mr Jakitsch said.
“We like to show groups around our facility and explain what we do. That collection bin can be in place for about a month before we collect it and sort through the donations.
“We have volunteers come in to do the sorting so that it is all ready to be allocated to families according to need.”
As the weather starts to get cooler, demand for coats, tracksuit pants, blankets and other winter essentials will begin to climb.
If you would like to make a donation, or are looking for a welcoming place to volunteer, simply call in to the warehouse at 12 Cooper Street Warrnambool or get in touch with the team online at https://lovedandshared.org.au