Adelaide, we know you are a generous bunch. Time after time, we have seen you pull together & dig deep when there has been a need, whether it has been donations of clothes, food, household items, cash or giving your time so generously by volunteering. We have created a list of SA Charities that we love to support & hope that you might be able to help out too. Whether it is a one – off donation, a monthly or annual direct debit or volunteering, please have a look below to see how you can help.
The Women’s & Children’s Hospital Foundation
The Women’s & Children’s Hospital Foundation (WCH Foundation) improves the health and wellbeing of women, children and families under the care of the Women’s and Children’s Health Network.
The WCH Foundation relies upon generous contributions from the community to support the purchase of state-of-the-art medical equipment, deliver our Laklinyeri Beach House Program, provide immediate emergency support to families in need, reduce distress and anxiety of patients through our extensive Arts in Health Program, and invest in vital medical research.
Our ongoing support has a lasting impact on the health and wellbeing of children and families who rely on the services of the Women’s and Children’s Health Network. Our support reaches families all over South Australia, as well as families from the Northern Territory, Broken Hill and the Sunraysia Region of Victoria who need to travel to the Women’s and Children’s Hospital for specialist treatment.
HOW YOU CAN HELP: Make a tax deductible donation – either a once off or monthly donation will help provide vital support and equipment to thousands of kids who rely on the hospital each year. Click here to donate.
THE VILLAGE CO.
The Village Co. is a not-for-profit organisation passionate about seeing all South Australian new mothers, regardless of
background, encouraged and supported as they begin the life-changing experience of becoming a new parent. Through the generous donations of supporters, The Village Co. give mothers in need the essential items they require, with the hope that this gift will make them feel appreciated and empowered to be the best mother they can be. The Village Co. currently collate donations, pack them into bags and distribute these bags to services who care for vulnerable and at-risk perinatal women. The bags are curated for women across a range of circumstances and include welcoming and self-love. Welcoming bags are for women who will have or have their baby in their care. The self-love bag is for women who will not be taking their baby home, due to miscarriage, stillbirth or removal.
Over one hundred women and families receive support from by The Village Co. each month, across a network of twelve hospitals and family medical facilities. Founded and run by mums, for mums, The Village Co. brings women together to do what we do best; support, care, empathise and ultimately empower others to be the best they can be, regardless of circumstance.
Chefs on Wheels has launched its new social enterprise program, A Nourished Week, in collaboration with The Village Co. The partnership is set to provide over seven hundred delicious Chefs on Wheels meals and side dishes to more than sixty vulnerable new mothers and their families in South Australia in the first month. This figure is expected to reach over one hundred families per month going forward, with the support of community and corporate donations.
HOW YOU CAN HELP: Have a look at The Village Co’s website to find out how to donate money or donate products from their shopping list to be delivered to vunerable mothers. You can also volunteer your time sorting and packing!
With Love Formal Wear
With Love Formal Wear is an Adelaide non-profit organisation that gifts donated Formal Wear to students graduating Primary or High School at no charge, to students experiencing financial hardship. All students deserve to look & feel amazing at their Graduation or Formal, so With Love Formal Wear accepts donations of gowns, cocktail dresses, suits, shirts, ties, shoes & accessories that will then be passed onto a student in need at one of their pop up events. They even host 1:1 services that are Autism friendly.
HOW YOU CAN HELP: Follow With Love Formal Wear on Facebook to find out when they are hosting donation drives. Generally, donations are accepted on the Second Saturday of each month at their Pop Up Boutique in Salisbury South. Donations are also accepted at Golden Grove, Grange and Blackwood by negotiation. They accept any items related to formal wear for young people that are gently used and is in ready to wear condition including dresses/ suits/ blazers/ shirts/ long pants of all sizes and styles, formal shoes, clutches and handbags, jewellery, tiaras and hair accessories, nail varnish, vests, ties and belts.
Kickstart for Kids
Started by Ian Steel in 2009, KickStart for Kids supports over 350 South Australian Schools, provides around 50,000 breakfasts and 10,000 lunches per week, and is supported by over 600 volunteers. KickStart for Kids was founded on the belief that every child, regardless of their social or economic background, should have an equal chance to succeed. They facilitate this belief by running school breakfast and lunch programs, mentoring programs and providing basic clothing and healthcare support in South Australian schools. Having started by providing breakfast programs in schools, Kickstart for Kids now also runs lunch programs, CampKickstart which is a holiday program for disadvantaged kids who might not look forward to the holidays like their peers do, mentoring and a period poverty program.
HOW YOU CAN HELP?: There are several ways that you can assist KickStart for Kids – to help fund their programs, you can donate money direct via their website. If you prefer to be more hands on, why not sign up to volunteer? We promise you will feel great! Please also keep an eye on their Facebook page, as they often do call outs for donations of particular items.
Villagehood Australia
Villagehood Australia is a Registered Charity and volunteer-based organisation dedicated to empower the community to protect the health & wellbeing of mothers in Adelaide.
Founded in 2020, Villagehood Australia offers a range of bubs friendly activities and programs for mums to connect with one another, mentally recharge and learn the tools to navigate more positively through the ups and downs of motherhood.
Currently taking place on Wednesdays during the School Terms, either at the Fulham Community Centre or Henley & Grange Community Centre, Villagehood Australia’s activities are:
- Pilates
- Art class
- Women’s Choir
- Co-working space
- Soft Play Area for babies under 2
- Creche services for toddler and pre-schoolers
Details can be found on their website www.villagehoodaustralia.comYou can also book a FREE TRIAL directly on their booking page www.villagehoodaustralia.com/onlinebooking
Backpacks 4 SA Kids
Did you know that approximately 44,000 other children become homeless every year, often leaving in a hurry with their mums’ due to family violence (Mission Australia 2017)? It’s a damning statistic. At Backpacks 4 SA Kids, they are striving to help as many as they can, by providing as many displaced children as possible with an age-appropriate backpack containing a range of items, from essential hygiene items to clothes, toys & stationery. This means that if they had to leave their personal items behind, they will be given new things to love ASAP. Backpacks 4 SA Kids also recently started a few new programs, including a Home Starter Pack which is given to families starting over after escaping domestic violence & Anchor Packs which are designed for young people aged 12-25 who are experiencing homelessness.
HOW YOU CAN HELP: Jump onto the Backpacks For SA Kids website to see the types of items needed to put together a Backpack, Home Starter pack or Anchor Pack. You can drop them off at their Para Hills Warehouse or find one of their many drop-off locations here. Why not host a morning tea & ask all guests to bring a filled backpack, or next time it’s your birthday you could ask for people to donate a backpack in lieu of gifts? You can also volunteer your time by registering here. Backpacks For SA Kids also accept cash donations to be able to put the packs together & deliver them. Donate here.
Australian Dental Foundation
Australian Dental Foundation (ADF) has partnered with Woolworths to promote its new range of dental products, with proceeds used to provide dental services to some of Australia’s most vulnerable people.
The new range of toothbrushes and toothpaste have been designed and developed by a group of South Australian dentists and tested with children and parents. Kids love the new “Berry Blast” flavour which is designed specifically for kids aged 2-6.
All proceeds will fund the Foundation’s work, including dental procedures and oral health education for children in need across metropolitan and rural communities. The ADF toothbrushes and toothpaste are available in selected Woolworths stores and dental clinics across Adelaide.
HOW YOU CAN HELP: Donate or find a list of stockists by clicking here.
Parents Who Have Been There
This Adelaide charity was started in 2008 as a way to support families currently undergoing a Neonatal journey due to their baby being born prematurely or requiring special care. Having a baby in a Neonatal unit can place a big strain on parents & older siblings. Parents Who Have Been There offer practical support by providing morning teas, dinners, food hampers & ‘Country Mums Essentials Packs’ with the chance for parents to chat to other Mums & Dads who truly have “been there”. They also give out special gift packs on Mother’s Day, Father’s Day & Christmas to bring a bit of cheer during an often stressful time. Parents Who Have Been There also run Neonatal Parent Playgroups & offer support online so that parents can stay connected & continue to receive support after their Neonatal journey has finished.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?: Parent Who Have Been There are run 100% by volunteers. Any donations they receive goes right back into the work they do. Making a donation is one of the best ways to help out – you can do so here. From time to time they might do a callout for donations specifically to fill their Mother’s Day/ Father’s Day/ Christmas packs. Keep an eye on their Facebook page to assist at these times.
Adelaide Koala and Wildlife Centre
If cute & fuzzy is your thing, then maybe helping out the Adelaide Koala & Wildlife Centre is for you. Here’s a little something from their website:
“Adelaide Koala and Wildlife Centre officially opened in February 2014 after many months of preparation. The Centre was purpose built to help save South Australia’s native wildlife. Adelaide Koala & Wildlife Centre provides free emergency vet services to injured, ill or orphaned wildlife at our Centre in Plympton. We take in wildlife with the aim of rehabilitation and release working closely with other rescue and conservation groups. We also participate in a wide variety of educational programs for students, carers, veterinary students and the public.”
They rely solely on financial & in-kind support – you can read all about some of the creatures they have helped over the years on their website.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?: Adelaide Koala & Wildlife Centre keep a wishlist updated on their website with the types of items they are in need of. Check it out here & please get in touch with them if you can donate something. Of course, you can also make a cash donation which will go straight into their bank account to care directly for the animals at the centre. Donate via this link. Adelaide Koala & Wildlife Centre also rely on a team of volunteers -if you are over 18 & would like to help out, email info@akawc.org.au to find out more.
Riding for the Disabled SA
Did you ever want to buy a horse when you were a kid? OF COURSE YOU DID! Well, now you can, however instead of buying a horse for yourself, you can make a donation to Riding For The Disabled, which will go towards improving their facilities, training their volunteers, updating riding equipment and yep, even buying horses.
Riding for the Disabled Association SA Inc is a voluntary, not for profit, organisation providing horse riding and related activities as sport, active recreation and basic therapy for people with disabilities. Through horse riding at RDA SA, people of all ages can enjoy a safe, stimulating, healthy activity. They are an NDIS registered provider.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?: Like most not for profit organisations, Riding For The Disabled need two things: funds and volunteers. To make a donation, head to their website. If you want to get hands on with your help, why not volunteer? It makes a great family activity as people as young as 12 can get involved. Head to their Volunteers page to find out more.
MumKIND
MumKIND was established in 2014 to positively impact the lives of the thousands of women across South Australia who face extreme and often long-term adversity – be it domestic violence, homelessness, food insecurity and / or poverty – very often whilst raising and protecting their children.
It began with a single email request to friends asking to gather items from their own homes that could be re-gifted to someone less fortunate. Nearly 1,000 pieces of clothing, bedding, blankets, sleeping bags, shoes, hats, nappies, and wipes were received. The response had been overwhelming. Since then, with the support of hundreds of individuals, groups and businesses, MumKIND have delivered thousands of much needed items to hundreds of families across the state.
MumKIND has formed strong partnerships with social service agencies and non-profit organisations across South Australia.They do not replicate the work of these important agencies – instead, work closely with them to add a meaningful layer of tailored support and kindness for those who are in their program. Therefore, all donations are carefully planned to have maximum impact on the recipient.
HOW YOU CAN HELP?: We all know that motherhood is a mammoth responsibility, the biggest of challenges and the most all-consuming of roles. It takes a whole-lot to raise a child and to be a family. If you are looking for meaningful ways to help a mother or child facing adversity, visit their webpage or follow their socials to learn how you can contribute.
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