Albany Soroptimist’s drive for supplies for women fleeing family violence at the Albany Women’s Centre

An annual drive to collect essential items for women who have escaped domestic violence is calling for Great Southern residents to dig deep and donate what they can. Albany Soroptimists’ Women’s Kare Kits and support boxes provide everyday items for women and children housed at Albany Women’s Centre refuge. The Kare Kits are drawstring bags containing full-sized toiletries and hygiene products, while the boxes include new children’s clothing, backpacks, lunchboxes and school supplies. Project co-ordinator Janet McArtney hopes this year’s annual collection drive, which is now in its eighth year, will collect enough items to surpass last year’s total of 160 kits. “Last year we had $20,000 worth of goods donated from 45 collection points and we’ve increased to 60 this year, so we’re expecting a good amount of items,” she said. “As we look after families coming from the whole of the region, women coming from Denmark and Mt Barker, we need a lot as the cost of living and homelessness crisis certainly hasn’t helped. “Sadly, we’ve found it an increasing need every year.” Ms McArtney said the group is also accepting supermarket vouchers and cash donations that will go directly to the affected women and are tax deductible. “A $200 donation goes a long way when you’re in a crisis situation,” she said. “It could mean fixing the bald tyres on mum’s car so she can safely get to work or getting a bond on a secure rental so they can move out of the refuge. “AWC is only afforded so much money to buy supplies for these women and children so any offering means a lot.” Donations can be made to collection points around the Great Southern until the end of June and directly to the AnglicareWA office at 44 Collie St in Albany all year round. Further information can be found on the Albany Womens Centre Kare Kits - Project by Soroptimist Albany Facebook page. Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveals a 13 per cent rise in family and domestic violence-related offences in Western Australia from 2022 to 2023.