Sometimes it's genuinely hard to put into words just how upsetting and undermining the actions of other individuals can be.

From our inception, having personally experienced a distinct lack of organisational support in times of unnecessary struggle and desperation; from our CEO, to Trustee's, our Volunteer Food Bank workers, drivers & staff- all are united and dedicated to providing the multitude of essential services we offer from our community center headquarters in Brunswick Village..

With being a small and independent charity, one that is almost entirely powered by a volunteer work force,

we have very little financial funding or reserves, as every spare penny is directed into our daily operations.

As such we are almost entirely dependent on support, donations & surplus foods from our neighbors

& locally trading businesses & any additional outgoings or unforeseen costs could potentially have huge

negative implications for us, our essential support services and the community & individuals we serve.

With hundreds of hours a week offered up for free, all funding invested directly into infrastructure & provisions & all hands on deck entirely invested in delivering support that many families & vulnerable individuals entirely depend upon...

....we still find ourselves fighting an uphill battle.

Little to no engagement from our local council/councilors, on going conflict with private entities wanting access to our community hub, sudden rental & rates increases, an appallingly lacking police response to a burglary

we experienced only a few short weeks ago...

We now unbelievably find ourselves victim to  a second break in.

Potentially emboldened by the lack of authorities, we suspect the same individuals responsible for the first incident, may have taken it upon themselves to return, this time to vandalise our storage sheds in order to gain access & steal power tools, gardening equipment, pet food, baby & mother supplies, sanitary products & more. Destroying the doors in the process & filling gardening bins with items they then took away with them. With a few notable exceptions, the majority of the items stolen are of little to no individual resale value. They are however an extremely important lifeline to the new families & vulnerable individuals reliant on our provisions.

We have already- as expected, had a good response from our neighbours & regulars

within the Brunswick community, showing concern & support which is as ever hugely appreciated & an integral part of our ongoing ability to maintain our services.

Aside from appealing for any information on the perpetrators, we are also asking for donations in

the form of pet food, sanitary & newborn supplies to replace at least some of the items pilfered.

As always we would like to extend a huge thank you to all of our clients, volunteers, patrons & neighbours for all the continued love & support, without the positive feedback & consistent messages of love & thanks, we would have closed doors & ceased operations within the first 6 months. Without you, there is no us.

From everyone at Families1st, all of our clients & beneficiaries,

THANK YOU.

And rest assured

WE WILL NOT BE DETERRED!!!!!!