Preparing for the Santa Sleep Out

I remember being moved a few years ago by a short letter to the editor of the SMH after a bout or rain like this present one which asked, ‘How do homeless people cope in this weather?’

This question brings home to us the importance of agencies like the St Vincent de Paul in supporting people through periods of homelessness. 

Our student leaders are asking everyone in the Santa community to bring in the items that make up the snack packs that are given out by Night Patrol crews.  

Would you like to do something practical to address the problems of homelessness and of those people who may have a place to call home but who have so little that after rent and electricity there is no money for food. Night after night people line up at the Night Patrol van to keep hunger at bay. On Christmas Day a few years ago a man said to me, ‘I don’t care what’s on the sandwich; I haven’t eaten anything all day.’ 

On the night of the Santa Sleep Out, senior student volunteers will pack five of the items from the list below into a snack pack. Last year we made nearly 300 snack packs. We are hoping that with your help we can do even more this  year! 

Please send in your donations before Friday 22 August; they will be collected in the library. 

Jane Sulis
Outreach Coordinator