MSFIN works with over 80 welfare agencies to provide material aid support for families in crisis. We do not liaise directly with families; this is to ensure that families in need are provided with professional and holistic support from trained support workers. If you are in need of support, contact your local community support centre.
If you are unsure where your local community support centre is, visit www.cisvic.org.au or contact your local council for more information. Community Information & Support Victoria (CISVic) is the peak body representing local community information and support services and they’re there to help.
Material Aid
With the support of its community, MSFIN provides material aid support to vulnerable families in crisis. This aid covers everything from quality second-hand nursing furniture, clothing and shoes, linen, basic food essentials, toiletries, prams, car seats, cots and more.
MSFIN provides this service anonymously (we do not deal face to face with clients but work in partnership via referral from qualified welfare support services) to ensure the privacy and dignity of vulnerable families.
Hamper of Hope
Imagine this – it is the first night in a new home after a traumatic situation. You are finally safe…but how are you going to rebuild and start over? MSFIN’s Hamper of Hope is just that…a collection of some of life’s basic essentials, such as dinnerware, kitchen appliances, cleaning supplies, pantry staples, to help you get back on your feet and take away some of the stress.
Back to School Support
Christmas Hamper and Toy Drive
Some FAQs on How We Help
How does it work?
What happens next?
What is the process when MSFIN receives an order from an agency?
Our volunteers collate the items based on what stock is available in the warehouse. Sometimes we cannot meet every request for each item but we do our very best to cover basic needs.
What type of things do agencies order from MSFIN?
Agencies can place an order for essential items such as clothing, bedding, baby goods, formula, pantry items, shoes, toiletries, cleaning products, household goods, toys. Generally, MSFIN aims to provide sufficient clothing for each family member for at least one week.
Does MSFIN provide support directly to families?
No. MSFIN works on a referral only basis. This means requests for assistance from MSFIN can only be made by one of over 200 specialist case workers from 80 + welfare agencies that are registered with MSFIN.
Why don’t you provide material aid directly to families?
By working in partnership with qualified professionals, MSFIN ensures vulnerable families are able to receive a holistic assessment and referrals can be made for any other support they might need including financial counselling, mental health support, housing support and more.
How does MSFIN get its material aid?
How do you know where our donated goods are going?
What types of crisis situations are these families often in?
Some families are fleeing domestic violence and find themselves with not much more than the clothes on their backs. Some may be experiencing financial hardship due to unemployment, mental health issues, alcohol/drug dependency, incarceration of a partner. For others, they might be refugees with no family support available. Some may have lost their homes due to fire, flood or a natural disaster and be experiencing homelessness for the first time. Sometimes people find themselves in a situation where they just need a helping hand, a bridge between hopelessness and hope.
Our Impact
In 2023, MSFIN provided:
With the support of our community, some of the material aid MSFIN gifted in 2023 included:
“Mums Supporting Families in Need (MSFIN) agency has a lasting impact on the City of Casey families that we support in the Family Services Program. These families who are experiencing financial hardship or other challenging circumstances the MSFIN service provides them with essential material items to ensure that families are equipped with what they need. MSFIN is a reliable and generous organisation that we can count on to assist our program to support families to ensure that children and young people’s needs are being met.”
– Laura Gregory | Team Leader – Family Services – Uniting Vic/Tas
Community Services – Eastern & Southern Melbourne
Community Information & Support Cranbourne (CISC) have been working collaboratively for many years with MSFIN. They have always been supportive of our most vulnerable families, helping us with a range of essential goods for mums, babies, and children. Without this partnership, we would never have been able to have provided support of this kind to our local families. The MSFIN team are professional, responsive and do their utmost to fulfil our requests in a timely manner – particularly in crisis situations.
– Leanne Petrides, Executive Officer
Community Information & Support Cranbourne Inc
MSFIN is proud to work in partnership with welfare support organisations like Orange Door – a free service for adults, children and young people who are experiencing or have experienced family violence and families who need extra support with the care of children. Sarah from Orange Door did an order pick up of boxes and bags of clothing, bedding and pantry essentials for a young family with three little kids, the youngest aged six months.
“The mum is a hairdresser, and she’s been hit hard by the current COVID-19 health restrictions, so I know she’s going to be so overwhelmed and grateful for this incredible support.”
– Sarah – Orange Door
October 2021
Where can you get help:
There are many organisations within the community that are there to help support you through a range of service options.
If you are unsure where your local community support centre is, visit www.cisvic.org.au or our Useful Links page.
