In 2022, CatholicCare Victoria embarked on their five-year strategic plan to focus efforts on initiatives that will have the greatest impact to promote fullness of life for all, and to disrupt the cycle of disadvantage for those who are most vulnerable and/or marginalised across the state of Victoria.
Their team brought a remarkable calendar year to a close by delivering 595 food-hampers to individuals and families in need, thanks to their annual Giving Tree Appeal.
The special event, which takes place each year, aims to provide support and assistance to vulnerable and disadvantaged families and individuals during the holiday season; including those affected by the 2022 floods in regional Victoria.
The hampers are designed to bring comfort and joy to those facing hardship during the holiday season, providing them with basic necessities and a sense of community support. Items within the hampers are catered to all types of community groups and are collected through generous donations along with the ‘Carry A Can’ initiative which CDF were proud to be a part of.
"Providing these hampers not only helped [them] with food items at a difficult time, but also helped to break the barrier between the families and myself as the worker."
Helly Hios
Family Mental Health Support Case Worker
The impact of the hampers could be felt across the state and CatholicCare community.
Helly Hios, Family Mental Health Support Case Worker from Catholic Care shared: “I work with two boys who are in Australia on a Humanitarian visa. I gave them 2 hampers. Providing these hampers not only helped them with food items at a difficult time, but also helped to break the barrier between the families and myself as the worker.
I was communicating through the interpreter at the child’s school to contact the parent due to the language barrier. After delivering the food hampers, I now have direct contact with the parent when required and they now contact me directly when needed.
I have also been invited into the home on two occasions, when delivering the food hampers and when delivering presents I organised through Family Care for the children for Christmas.
The child’s mother has expressed her gratitude for the help on so many occasions and stated, ‘you are a good sister to help so much’ with her hand held to her chest."
CDF Staff helping pack essential items for the 2022 CatholicCare Victoria Giving Appeal.
From the hampers created:
- 45 were delivered to Wise Well Women for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, including some refugee families.
- 10 were delivered to Luftiyes who provide support to the homeless, in particular those who are sleeping rough.
- 45 were delivered to Uniting Care Settlement Services for refugee and asylum seekers across Greater Shepparton.
- 60 were delivered directly to CatholicCare Victoria families and children who are dealing with an array of complex issues.
- 15 were delivered to the Ethnic Council of Greater Shepparton who have contact with a range of individuals and families.
- 10 were delivered to Amos Care who provide disability support.
- 15 were delivered directly to known families in need who were experiencing food insecurity.
"One of the best feelings I had when giving out food to people was the smiles on their faces and the kind words they said to me when I handed it over to them.
It made me feel proud of myself and the organisation I work for."
Haroun Kafi
Cultural Advisor - Shepparton Family Relationship Centre
CatholicCare Victoria staff distributing hampers ahead of Christmas.
Cultural Advisor, Haroun Kafi, from the Shepparton Family Relationship Centre said, “it’s always good to give things to people, especially food, to those who need it and enjoy happiness with them. One of the best feelings I had when giving out food to people was the smiles on their faces and the kind words they said to me when I handed it over to them.
It made me feel proud of myself and the organisation I work for because happiness and the smiles we provide to people’s faces were why CatholicCare existed. Things like food Hampers are significant for an organisation like CatholicCare because many people there need our support.”

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CDPF Limited, a company established by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, has indemnified the Catholic Development Fund ABN 15 274 943 760 (the Fund) against any liability arising out of a claim by investors in the Fund. In practice, this means your investment is backed by the assets of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne. The Fund is required by law to make the following disclosure. Investment in the Fund is only intended to attract investors whose primary purpose for making their investment is to support the charitable purposes of the Fund. Investors’ funds will be used to generate a return to the Fund that will be applied to further the charitable works of the Archdiocese of Melbourne and the Dioceses of Sale and Bunbury. The Fund is not prudentially supervised by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority nor has it been examined or approved by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). An investor in the Fund will not receive the benefit of the financial claims scheme or the depositor protection provisions in the Banking Act 1959 (Cth). The investments that the Fund offers are not subject to the usual protections for investors under the Corporations Act (Cth) or regulation by ASIC. Investors may be unable to get some or all of their money back when the investor expects or at all and investments in the Fund are not comparable to investments with banks, finance companies or fund managers. The Fund’s identification statement may be viewed here or by contacting the Fund. The Fund does not hold an Australian Financial Services Licence.
