Bundoora charity Big Group Hug is seeking a new home after receiving notice to vacate it existing Bundoora warehouse by September 15.
The charity provides essential items for struggling families such as clothing, formula, cots, prams, car seats and activity packs for newborns to children aged 16 years of age.
Chief executive Bernadene Voss said new, larger warehouse in Melbourne’s northern suburbs would enable the organisation to support more families in crisis.
“The move is timely,” Ms Voss said. “We have outgrown our current premises and need a larger space to serve our community as the demand for our aid continues to grow.
“We are on the precipice of major growth and to support this, we need a new home. In the last financial year, we supported 4271 children, so far this year we have already seen a 52 per cent increase
in requests for help. Our service is essential for struggling families and mothers fleeing family violence with their children.”
Big Group Hug said vacancies in the commercial warehouse sector are limited, impacting on the organisation’s ability to secure appropriate accommodation at a charitable rate.
“We are calling on our wonderful community of supporters to please help spread the word in the hope we can find a new home,” Ms Voss said.
“We hope there is a person, or a group of people, in the community who can give us a new home or point us in the direction of someone who can. Our preference is the northern suburbs, where
our core committed volunteer team is located, but I am open to exploring all opportunities available.”
Ideally Big Group Hug is looking for a 800-1000sqm warehouse, including suitable office space, with heating and cooling, in Melbourne’s northern suburbs. Co-locating with a likeminded welfare or environmental
agency is an option.
“Big Group Hug will continue, we do have a Plan B. But our focus right now is on finding a new, larger home to ensure that every child in our community has the essentials they need to thrive,” Ms Voss said.
If you’re able to help, please contact: bernadene@biggrouphug.org
