Karoly 'Charlie' Jehoda, Benalla Lion's Club President Chris Vaughan, and Benalla Homelessness Response group volunteers Kate Holmes and Robert Berry in front of new lockers, recently installed under Benalla Library.
Photo by
Simon Ruppert
Having been incorporated just over one year ago, the Benalla Homelessness Response Group has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of local people without a roof over their heads.
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On Tuesday, December 17, thanks to a grant from the Winton Solar Farm, it was able to install lockers under Benalla Library.
These lockers serve several purposes.
Firstly, they provide a safe place for homeless people to store their possessions.
One of the lockers is stocked with non-perishable food items, and one will be used for an emergency shelter kit.
BHRG President Kate Holmes said it would have a sleeping bag and tent inside, for anyone with a desperate need.
“We've also been running the welcome Kitchen, which operates here under the library every Sunday,“ she said.
“We're really excited about the installation of the lockers here. It's another checklist item ticked off.
“We applied for the grant through Winton Solar farm, and used part of it for the lockers.
“With the rest we hope to produce a community pocket guide.”
The purpose of that is to provide information on organisations and services which a person experiencing homelessness might need.
The lockers installed under Benalla Library are just the latest initiative of the Benalla Homelessness Response Group.
Photo by
Simon Ruppert
“Benalla Rural City Council have supported us to install the lockers by offering us the space,” Ms Holmes said.
“And through a quick response grant they will assist with the cost of printing the pocket guide.”
Ms Holmes said the group is also in contact with various food relief and support organisations in the area in the hope of adding to the pocket guide, which it hopes will be printed and ready to be distributed by early March 2025.
Karoly 'Charlie' Jehoda is currently living without a roof over his head and is one of the people BHRG has been assisting.
“These lockers make me very happy,” Charlie said.
“I’m so happy with this organisation (BHRG). It helps lots of people.
“And not only because of the food, but with things like company and communication.
“Many of us don’t have friends or relatives close by.
“So it’s not just the food and drink, they offer great company. So it’s very important for me.”
Ms Holmes said BHRG hosts its welcome kitchen every Sunday evening, under Benalla Library.
“We’ll be running these every Sunday throughout the summer,” she said.
“But we’ll be switching to barbecues to make it easier for the Lions Club who have been preparing and serving all the food from their van.”
Benalla Lions President Chris Vaughan said helping out has been extremely rewarding.
“Somebody told me yesterday that we can measure the success of the welcome kitchen by the number of meals we serve,” he said.
“Of course, real success would be if we didn’t have to serve any meals.
“But, homelessness is a real problem, and if we can do something to help, we will.”
Ms Holmes said BHRG is always on the lookout for new volunteers, and donors.
“Anyone can donate food to us by putting non-perishable items in the trolley at the front of Woolworths,” she said.
If anyone reading this article is in a position to help in any way, you can contact Ms Holmes on 0494 134 957 or message BHRG through Facebook @Benalla Homelessness Response Group - BHRG Inc.
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