A year on from founding the Goulburn Community Kindness Project, Ange Harding has settled into a new role after a rewarding yet overwhelming time at the forefront.
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The Goulburn local started the Project in 2021 after noticing an increase in people and families reaching out online for assistance for a variety of reasons.
After creating a Facebook group, Ange began to run a pantry out of her own home and used the group as a way to help people source emergency accommodation, food, furniture and even emotional support via in-person meetings.
Over time others put their hands up, creating a local support network and safety net, one that has been crucial amidst the ongoing financial and wellbeing challenges presented by COVID-19.
Whilst extremely rewarding, Ange was finding running such an undertaking difficult with 24/7 responsibilities on top of her day job and family.
"When I opened Goulburn's first free little pantry from my own home, it was extremely full on," she told the Post.
"I was coordinating the Kindness Project which involved moderating the group posts, sourcing items for others, providing people with support and encouragement and of course, sourcing food items to stock the free pantry and do food relief shopping for families in real need.
"A great deal of coordination was involved in those early days, and quite frankly, it was a 24/7 gig. Neighbours, family and friends were awesome, and still are, in supporting this unique initiative."
Far from stepping back, Ange has taken on a crucial, if slightly less exhausting, role within the Project.
"Now that things have evolved, I don't run a free pantry myself anymore," she explained.
"However I support those who are better positioned geographically to operate a pantry and there are several throughout Goulburn now. My job is to coordinate and make sure people are supported to do whatever kindness it is that they want to do for the community.
"That can be anything from a free shop and pantry, to cooking for others and sourcing items people in need require. There really is a stigma for many people, when it comes to asking for help.
"Those people approach me or the other people in our admin team, and we will advocate on their behalf by approaching the community directly for them.
"The help is forthcoming because the community want to do something nice to make a difference. It feels good doing this."
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