Talk about Good Samaritans! College presents baskets of kindness to Vinnies

Brimming with goodness … Mary Martin, far right, and Teresa Forrest from St Vinnies were presented with baskets of supplies for homeless people from teacher Rory Harrington and the year 4 kids at Good Samaritan Catholic College Bli Bli. 

Nambour’s St Joseph’s Conference of St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland received much-needed supplies from a local school recently.

“Mary Martin (Treasurer) and I were invited to speak at the Assembly of Good Samaritan Catholic College Bli Bli about the work we do at St Vincent de Paul in Nambour,” explained St Joseph’s Conference Nambour President Teresa Forrest.

“Students from Year 4, along with their teacher Mr Rory Harrington, collected five baskets of toiletries across the College  to make up into Dignity Packs for the homeless as their contribution to homelessness. 

“It was fantastic and we are grateful to receive their support.” 

Mr Harrington said students had been investigating the impact of homelessness over the past five weeks. 

“They have written a newspaper package around this issue, informing people in our community of the prominence of this issue,” he said. 

“From these tasks the Year 4’s have become a passionate group of students that want to make a difference in their community.  

“With this in mind they conducted some research and discovered that Vinnies has a winter appeal.”

Teresa said the presentation was a wonderful surprise. 

“We were overwhelmed and really pleased,” she said. “We think the students at the Good Samaritan College are legends. 

“At present, some of our members are sewing up drawstring bags to place the products in. They will then be distributed out to the homeless.”

Teresa said St Vinnies was still  under pressure because of the housing crisis.

“We, along with other agencies are doing our best to house people. There is still a lack of affordable housing across Queensland and many people are struggling with rent stress.”