The 2018 RARsh food drive was a spectacular success with close to $20,000 worth of food and toiletries donated by locals and delivered to the Asylum Seekers Centre in Sydney.

This year the needs of asylum seekers are even greater.

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Highlanders are asked to donate non-perishable food and personal care items to various collection points around the Southern Highlands and RARsh will arrange for their delivery.

Two thousand households of asylum seekers who are awaiting protection visa approvals relied on the monthly food packages supplied by the Asylum Seekers Centre last year.

Without adequate financial support or the ability to work, families are struggling.

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Donated goods are greatly appreciated and can be deposited at the following drop-off points:

Mittagong Vet: 159 Main St, Mittagong. From 2pm to 5pm Monday to Friday

Bowral Church of Christ: 56 Wingecarribee St Bowral. After 9.00am from Monday to Friday

Oxley College - Administration office: Railway St Burradoo - During school hours only.

Hill Top Public School - Admin Office: 12 Linda Street Hill Top- School Hours only

Hartzer Park: 25 Eridge Park Rd Burradoo. 8.00am -6.00pm Mon-Fri

Urgently needed items include rice, lentils, tinned fish, breakfast cereal and vegetables.

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Basic personal care are also needed. These include as toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, nappies, sanitary pads and shampoo.

For further details or to see how your workplace or organisation can become involved, please contact RARsh at rarsouthernhighlands@gmail.com or Julia Weisz on 0405 671 141.