Spreading joy and alleviating hunger with partner organisations this Christmas at CDF
December 12, 2023

In the spirit of ‘disrupting disadvantage’, CatholicCare Victoria once again embarked on its annual Giving Tree and Carry-a-Can appeal in 2023. These initiatives have become synonymous with spreading joy during the festive season and helping those struggling to put food on the table this Christmas.


This year the hampers were distributed across CatholicCare Victoria program teams to regions including Bairnsdale, Ballarat, Bendigo, Dandenong, Epping, Footscray, Geelong, Horsham, Melton, Mildura, Pakenham, Shepparton Wangaratta and Warragul. Not only will the hampers provide material support, but also foster a sense of belonging and community spirit across CatholicCare clients. The joy on the faces of recipients, many of whom are experiencing hardship, is a testament to the success of the initiative in bringing smiles and warmth to the hearts of those who need it most.

‘Our families absolutely love receiving the hampers. As we deliver them, we have the pure pleasure of sharing in the joy of families receiving and unpacking them too. Such a heart-warming experience and also an incredible practical help to vulnerable families, who are really struggling to make ends meet, in very challenging economic times.’


Sally-Anne Petrie, CatholicCare Victoria Staff

2023 saw Catholic school students also supported the Carry-a-Can campaign and collected items to be shared in hampers ahead of Christmas, via their school communities. A true sense of community was felt across the Catholic network as CDF staff too donated non-perishable items, bringing the total of canned food donations to over 3,000 this year. Alongside the CatholicCare Victoria team, CDF staff helped create an impressive 620 food-hampers for the disadvantaged this year. In addition to this, a donation from CDF helped boost the number of items purchased for the hampers this year – items included rolled oats, pancake mix, cereal, rice, biscuits and crackers.

CDF staff and CCV staff creating and distributing 2023 Giving-Tree Hampers.

In the spirit of Christmas, CDF staff also took time to participate in the MacKillop Family Services Gift Drive and Sacred Heart Mission Dining Hall Volunteer shifts. The impact of these programs extended far beyond filling stomachs and supporting children this Christmas; it calls on the collective responsibility of a community to support the vulnerable and disadvantaged, as highlighted in Catholic Social Teaching.


By addressing basic societal needs through Catholic organisations, like CatholicCare Victoria, MacKillop Family Services and Sacred Heart Mission, we are all contributing to the overall well-being of individuals and families, creating a foundation for them to thrive while feeling valued and supported. 


Nature's Symphony

Breathtaking colors of our planet

Faces of Humanity

Portraits of people from around the globe
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Sands of Time

Stark beauty of desolate dunes
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CDF staff, clients and friends donating their time at the Sacred Heart Mission Dining Hall.

Nature's Symphony

Breathtaking colors of our planet

Faces of Humanity

Portraits of people from around the globe
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CDF CEO, Matthew Cassin and CDF General Manager Client Services, Brendan Hoy, delivering donated gifts and vouchers to MacKillop Family Services for the 2023 Gift Drive.

To help CDF continue to meet strong loan demand from the Catholic community, you too can put your faith in action and save for a greater reward than money alone. Not only will you earn a competitive rate of interest, but your savings will assist organisations like CatholicCare Victoria, MacKillop Family Services and Sacred Heart Mission to continue the work the Gospel calls on them to do. 
Learn more and apply today. 

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