All hands on deck to help needy with the essentials

Providing grocery hampers to those less fortunate is just one of the ways Christians Ready Equipped and Willing Incorporated continues to help homeless and struggling families in Rockingham and Kwinana.

The C.R.E.W was founded in 2015 and in 2016 moved into a donated building at 7a McCamey Avenue in East Rockingham.

The group of more than 60 volunteers assists in providing basic necessities, including groceries, clothing, toiletries and home-cooked meals.

Co-founder Julie-Anne Moyle has worked on multiple overseas mission trips in Vietnam and Cambodia, where she has helped women and young girls rehabilitate out of the sex trade.

After the death of a homeless man in Kwinana, she turned her attention to the local area.

“We’ve gone from helping about seven families to now more than 30,” Mrs Moyle said.

The C.R.E.W offers a number of other services out of its building, including financial counselling, family services, and resume help.

Last month, the C.R.E.W presented Baldivis MLA Reece Whitby with a raffle prize he had won and gave him a tour of the facilities.

“It’s an amazing effort by the volunteers and commitment to the community,” Mr Whitby said.

“On the outwards, it might seem like people are doing well but yet are struggling. It could be that someone loses their job and falls behind in utility bills and mortgage payments. There is no shame in needing help.”

The C.R.E.W will hold its free annual Christmas dinner party for local homeless and struggling families at its centre on December 17. For more information, visit thecrew.org.au.