They have, once again, partnered to run a blanket drive from Monday, May 12, to Friday, May 30.
Bendigo Bank’s Kelly Wallace has been instrumental in the initiative for more than six years, and said the bank was the only drop-off location in 2025.
“We accept all donations here for those three weeks and then at the end of the three weeks we will liaise with the Waminda House, who distribute them to those that need them,” she said.
Ms Wallace said the initiative had become so synonymous with the bank that people started to ask about it before it started.
“I put the table out today and I even had a non-bank customer say, is that for the blankets?” she said.
“Blankets must be clean and can be dropped off at the bank during business operating hours.
“And they can be any type of blanket, even smaller ones that just go over your knees, or something the kids can curl up on the couch with.”
Ms Wallace said they typically received good-quality donations, which was appreciated.
“There’s some ladies out there who actually make quilts, and they’re beautiful.
“We’ve had others buy brand-new quilts and blankets and drop them off.”
Ms Bullard said the beauty of this initiative was that it was something everyone could help with.
“If you’ve got some blankets in the cupboard, even something small, you can donate them and help people who really need it.”
Ms Wallace said it was an initiative run by the local branch that everyone there loved to do.
“It’s something that the branch wants to do because we want to support the community, and we feel that people in Benalla should support each other,” she said.
The blankets will be distributed by Waminda House after May 30.
If you are in need you can contact Waminda House, and Ms Bullard said it would arrange a day for people to collect what they needed.
Keep an eye out in the pages of the Ensign, or via benallaensign.com.au for when that will be.
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