The Northern Rivers Flood Relief Fund, a partnership between NRCF and Byron Community Centre, raised an incredible $1,308,655 in a matter of weeks.
This money means 103 grants (as of May 11, 2022) have reached community organisations who are imbedded, trusted and already connected on the ground in flood affected Northern Rivers.
One of those recipients is Baby Give Back, an organisation that supports caregivers with children.
In the two months since the first flood event they have been supported more than 800 flood affected children and their parents or caregivers.
Baby Give Back changed their business model to allow flood affected families to connect with directly instead of through a caseworker, midwife or other health practitioner.
Business Improvement Manager Shannon Calderoni, said they provided the essential items families need including cots, prams, car seats, high chairs, formula, nappies, clothing, toiletries and more.
“Most importantly, the items we provide are clean and safety checked. People are starting again from scratch and it’s overwhelming,” Shannon said.
“I read it in the requests coming through and hear the relief in parents’ voices when we tell them we can help,” she said.
With money from the Northern Rivers Flood Relief Fund, Baby Give Back has employed a part-time Flood Response Coordinator and a local from the Lismore community to support the distribution of orders via the hub at Sheaffe Motors in Lismore.
“Our warehouse operates to clean and safety check second-hand items, but the demand from flood impacted families far exceeds our stock levels. We use donated funds to purchase goods for these families to specifically meet their needs and reduce waiting times for families,” Shannon said.
“Thanks to our generous community of supporters we will continue to be there for families through each stage of their flood recovery.”
Messages of thanks
“Thank you so much, you have just helped take a huge pressure off my shoulders knowing I can bring my baby girl home safely.” – Message from a recipient.
“I just wanted to say a huge thank you to you for your support. I received the pram last week and also some extras which I wasn’t expecting (nappies, toys, etc).. I am so so so unbelievably grateful.” – Message from a recipient.