Australian Bushfires - Ways to Help

Frustration, sadness, grief and helplessness are just some of the things I am feeling right now, as I'm sure a lot of you also are. But the unity and support that Australian's, volunteers, donors and the rest of the world are giving is just admirable.

On behalf of my family and Chai Walli, I will be sending donations to RedCross Australia and WIRES so they can distribute them in the best way possible. I have also compiled a list of ways in which you may be able to help bushfire affected people.

DONATE MONEY TO:

• Australian Red Cross - The Red Cross supports people at evacuation centres and provides emergency assistance like cash grants to people who have lost their homes: https://www.redcross.org.au/campaigns/disaster-relief-and-recovery-donate
• WIRES - NSW Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service (WIRES) rescues and cares for animals and is seeking donations for volunteer carers and rescuers: https://www.wires.org.au/donate/emergency-fund (keep a cardboard box and a towel in your car in case you come across any injured wildlife and take them to the VET).

Support the Firefighters in your state:

• NSW Firefighters NSW RFS: https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/volunteer/support-your-local-brigade
• VIC Firefighters CFA (Country Fire Authority): https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/about/supporting-cfa#donate-cfa
• SA Firefighters CFS Foundation: https://cfsfoundation.org.au/donate

DONATE GROCERY ITEMS

I am sending food supplies through Amar Singh's trucks to bushfire affected areas this week. His trucks have already been to bushfire affected areas to drop off supplies and are represented by two NFPs (Turbans 4 Australia and Care One Care All Group) and is backed by Michelle Rowland MP. If you live in Sydney and would like to get involved, you can drop off any of the following items to my Chai Walli headquarters by this WEDNESDAY (tomorrow) to 44 Edward Street, Summer Hill. You can leave it behind the front door if we are not here. The items needed include:

• Sugar and honey
• Coffee/Tea
• Jam
• Baked Beans and tinned food*
• Cereals
• Muesli Bars
• Biscuits
• Long Life Milks
• Pasta Sauce and Pasta.

*If you’re donating any canned foods please ensure it has a ring pull opener.

HOW TO KEEP SUPPORTING AFTER THE BUSHFIRES

• Once the fires have been put out, and the media has left, there will be SO much that is needed over the next few years to rejuvenate these areas, both environmentally, emotionally and economically. You can: Make a point to visit and stay in these affected towns to improve their local economy. The economic effects of not having any trade during these summer months have been devastating.
• When you visit, support the small businesses that are in these areas. Book their accomodation to stay in, dine in their cafes and restaurants, shop their stores, buy petrol from their stations, share a drink with mates at their pubs. This can help boost their trade, as they will need it.
• When shopping online, find small makers and producers that live and work in these areas, and buy from them. 

If you have any questions, please contact me on [email protected].