Hawkesbury’s Helping Hands, a vital community charity, celebrates its 15th anniversary this week. It has dramatically expanded its services, moving from aiding the homeless to supporting struggling working families across Sydney’s Hawkesbury region.
Fifteen years ago, co-founder Linda Strickland and her eight-year-old daughter Cassidy began making meals. They delivered these to people experiencing homelessness in a local park. This simple act was sparked by Cassidy’s poignant question about why people went hungry.
From these humble beginnings, the mother-daughter duo established Hawkesbury’s Helping Hands. Today, it operates from a large warehouse. This facility now provides hampers and essential supplies to hundreds of individuals.
The Hawkesbury area faces frequent natural disasters. Therefore, the charity has become crucial in local crisis response. It has assisted during the 2019–20 Gospers Mountain bushfire and five major floods between 2020 and 2022.
During these emergencies, the team sets up evacuation centres. They provide air mattresses, pet supplies, and snacks. This preparedness stems from years of community connections. The charity also provides a lifeline during droughts, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
Operations surge during peak times, such as Christmas or significant disasters. The charity manages up to 30 pallets of food daily. This food comes from generous donations by food relief organisations and supermarkets.
Originally serving those experiencing homelessness, the charity’s clientele has evolved. Now, many working families seek assistance. These include households with two incomes that still struggle with food, mortgage, and rent payments. Notably, the fastest-growing demographic comes from The Hills, often considered an affluent area.
Mother-of-three Paula Maher highlights the impact. She relies on the charity to help feed her family and grandchildren. Rent, car payments, and utility bills are currently overwhelming, she explains.
Despite receiving visits from Prime Ministers Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese during crises, the organisation is not government-funded. Instead, it relies entirely on community donations and business sponsorships. Local politicians, including Labor MP Susan Templeman and Liberal NSW Member Robyn Preston, commend its vital work.
Looking ahead, the charity prepares for a major El Niño event. They are converting warehouse space into a heat relaxation zone, complete with fans and couches. Moreover, they have acquired an additional warehouse. This space stores pre-wrapped crates of disaster supplies, including air mattresses and sleeping bags. Flood-proof bags, capable of protecting household goods for weeks, have also been secured. Linda Strickland expresses her hope that the essential services provided by Hawkesbury’s Helping Hands will continue for decades to come.
