Sanitarium Health Food Company has extended a helping hand to Coast Shelter, an organization that offers vital assistance and crisis accommodation to those in need in Australia.

Sanitarium staff contributed more than US$3,000 (A$5,500) to create 85 hampers towards Coast Shelter’s annual Holiday Appeal. This donation accounted for nearly half of the not-for-profit’s annual hamper appeal target. Additionally, Sanitarium surprised the organization with an additional donation to ensure its valuable programs can continue in 2025 and beyond.

“The generosity of our people is inspiring,” said Todd Saunders, executive general manager for Sanitarium in Australia and New Zealand.

Sanitarium’s employees also donated funds to provide 40 vouchers for clients of the men’s refuge and gifted their own Christmas vouchers—adding nearly another US$1,000 (A$1,500) to the total.

“[Sanitarium staff] truly live our purpose to change lives every day through whole person health and rallied together to support those in need in the community in which we work,” added Saunders.

Coast Shelter faced a challenging year in 2024, recording a 55 percent increase in community demand for services ranging from emergency accommodation to domestic violence support.

“This is a huge helping hand to the people in the Central Coast community who rely on us,” said Emma Richomme, Coast Shelter’s corporate and community development coordinator.

“Without these 85 hampers and the voucher donation funds, it is likely that many vulnerable people living on the coast we support would not have been able to celebrate the festive season.”

Sanitarium’s partnership with Coast Shelter spans two decades and has included providing support programs to teach clients how to write a resume, product donations, and financial contributions.

“We look forward to continuing this valuable partnership with Coast Shelter and to further supporting their vital work in years to come,” Saunders said.

Coast Shelter CEO Lee Shearer highlighted the importance of Sanitarium’s continued support.

“Thanks to Sanitarium’s staff, for two decades now, Coast Shelter has been able to provide life-changing services to individuals and families facing their toughest times, bringing hope and comfort to those in need,” Shearer said. “We look forward to another year of making a difference together.”

The original article was published on the South Pacific Division news site, Adventist Record.