300 Blankets is a not for profit charity providing the caring warmth of friendship and protective warmth of blankets to people experiencing homelessness in Victoria.
We work together with wide a range of support groups and charities to make a significant difference in the lives of the people at risk or experiencing homelessness. We currently operate a twice weekly outreach program in the Melbourne CBD and a weekly Soul Kitchen community program in the western suburb and northern suburb of Melbourne. We are constantly exploring new ways to reach the greater Victorian community. Through working with schools and universities, we have developed educational programs to teach and inspire the wider community to contribute and make a difference. We are focused on making impact by loving our neighbours as ourselves. We understand there is no us and them, we are one community. Together we can keep our community warm.
Blankets
After food and water, blankets is the most sought after product from homeless services. 300 Blankets aims to alleviate the constant need by donating blankets to the local soup vans, food services, crisis accommodation and a wide range of other charities and services to ensure that they are always equipped to provide people with the warmth of blankets.
Homeless Outreach
Outreach Program: 300 Blankets operates a twice weekly volunteer outreach program in the heart of the Melbourne CBD. The outreach program reaches out and engages with people sleeping rough to build community, provide support and material aid.
Soul Kitchen: 300 Blankets also operates a weekly community building food service in the western suburbs of Melbourne. Soul Kitchen provides opportunities to make a direct impact on the lives of individuals and families at risk and experiencing homelessness by addressing food security and tackling social isolation.
Community Education
300 Blankets believes in order to create change, we need to start with educating current and future leaders of our community. They partner with schools and organisations to explore the realities of homelessness.
Established in 2012, we have been making strides towards supporting existing homeless services, assisting people who are homeless for the first time to reach appropriate services, and creating positive relationships with people who are entrenched in homelessness so they can find the strength to improve their livelihood. If you’d like to help us make a real difference to people experiencing homelessness, you can join us as a volunteer, make a donation, or partner with us in a number of ways. Thank you for helping to keep our community warm.
The reality of homelessness
The plight of homeless people living on the streets is an issue many think is too complex to address and we are often left feeling helpless as to how we can make a difference. After several visits to emergency accommodation centres and speaking to staff, we uncovered these facts about homelessness:
Currently there are over 105,000 people experiencing homelessness in Australia, with almost 23,000 people in Victoria alone.
Homelessness can be caused by abusive households, addictions and mental illness.
There are many categories of homelessness – people residing with friends and relatives, people in emergency accommodation, and people living rough on the streets.
Homeless people suffer abuse, psychological illnesses, and are exposed to the physical hardship of living in the cold and rain.