give a little
JULIETTE WRIGHT
DIRECTOR AND FOUNDER
Givit
IN OUR CULTURE OF EXCESS, CHARITY GIVIT PROVIDES A PLATFORM FOR THOSE IN NEED TO REQUEST AND ACCESS SPECIFIC ITEMS FROM EVERYDAY DONORS, CONNECTING THE ACT OF GIVING WITH THOSE WHO NEED IT MOST.
Unfortunately, Australia is not the ‘lucky country’ I thought it was when I was growing up. We have poverty, real and unacceptable poverty, in most communities. But we don’t all have to be big philanthropists to make a big difference. I believe we have enough items under the stairs, out in the shed and at the back of our kitchen cupboards to give people the essentials they can’t afford.
Although we’re a national charity, we help people give locally. It’s a smart way to give, because if you have a fridge, boots, or even just five dollars, we ensure what you have to give goes directly to those in need.
Back in 2009 when I created Givit, I was very surprised at how difficult it was to find a charity, and people in genuine need of the high-quality baby clothes my son Hudson outgrew. While many local charities were overloaded with unwanted or poor-quality goods, they were also desperately seeking essential items such as unused underwear for women in homeless shelters, sanitary products for women fleeing domestic violence or steel-capped boots for unemployed fathers securing work. I had two young babies at the time and felt a little insular. But when I donated items that were actually needed rather than what I assumed was needed, I felt a deep sense of connection to my wider community. I then created the Givit website because I hoped other people would also want to give exactly what was needed.
