One year on from NRMA Insurance and RACV jointly donating $2 million to establish GIVIT’s COVID-19 Relief Program, more than one million essential items and services have been provided to pandemic impacted people and communities across Australia.

GIVIT, a not-for-profit donation platform that matches the needs of Australia’s most vulnerable people with donors from across the country, has seen requests for support double since the pandemic was declared in March 2019.

Midway through the two-year national initiative, the COVID-19 Relief Program continues to connect people and community organisations to essential items and services via an online warehouse, which includes items such as clothing, toiletries, mobile phones, groceries, school supplies, furniture, and household goods.

GIVIT CEO Sarah Tennant said: “The pandemic created extra barriers for vulnerable people seeking to access support services. We’ve seen an escalation in rates of domestic and family violence, homelessness and financial hardship."

Since forming the program, some of the most requested items have been:

• Groceries and toiletries
• Craft supplies including children’s colouring-in books and pencils to support vulnerable people in lockdown or hospital
• Baby essentials including nappies, wipes and formula
• Clothing

Donations made across the country to date include:

NRMA Insurance Executive General Manager Safer Communities Ramana James said: “NRMA Insurance is delighted that our joint contribution with RACV to establish the COVID-19 Relief Program has seen GIVIT achieve such a significant milestone."

“We remain focused not only on helping communities across the country recover from large-scale events, whether that be the pandemic, recent extreme weather or natural disasters, but also on building community resilience ahead of future events through education around risk mitigation and disaster preparedness activities,” continued Mr James. 

RACV General Manager Social Impact and Corporate Communications Louise Steinfort said: “RACV is very pleased to see the impact GIVIT is having on the communities it has provided essential items to, who need the support. Even a small item can make a big difference to someone’s life.”

The program is designed to ensure those most vulnerable receive what they need, when they need it. This support has helped those in need in a range of critical situations, including:

• In South Australia, GIVIT assisted an emergency relief centre in Port Adelaide which had seen a substantial increase in numbers due to the pandemic. Through the program, GIVIT provided a large fridge / freezer and oven / stove enabling them to feed vulnerable members of their community.

• In Western Australia, GIVIT assisted a young First Nations mother in Perth who had a two-year-old and was pregnant with twins. The mother suffered from social isolation attributed to the pandemic and had recently escaped domestic violence, with limited financial or family support. Through the program, GIVIT provided two highchairs, a bassinet, and pram.

• In regional New South Wales, GIVIT helped a young family with four children under five years of age, one of which had a serious medical condition requiring regular medical treatment in Newcastle. The parents were unemployed due to pandemic lockdowns. The program provided the family with $500 of groceries and clothing.

The COVID-19 Relief Program will continue to facilitate donations through to September 2023. To access appeals, visit: givit.org.au/appeals