Caring church members spread winter warmth in Manjimup

Keeping the community warm during the cold winter months has not been overlooked by caring church members in Manjimup. The Warren Valley Community Church looks at different ways to outreach in the community — one of which is their blanket box initiative which has been successful for more than four years. Church member Katiya Schutz said offering free blankets was one way to help people in need. “Our focus is to be able help others,” she said. “When we look at that, we look at what’s happening in our community.” The blanket box started organically with donations of blankets in the first few years, she said, and last year saw the community donate more than 100 blankets. The Manjimup Community Op Shop provided $1000 funding for the church to purchase blankets last year and doubled the amount this year due to the increasing need in the community. The church has also started a Soup Kitchen for winter as another way to assist those in need during the cold. “It’s a way to open the doors and show our love to people in the community,” Mrs Schutz said. “People are out there that really care. We are not thinking our church has the answers but together all our churches are able to reach out and assist where we can. “There’s plenty of people out there that help. You’re not alone.” Mrs Schutz said new initiatives were determined by a diverse range of committee members with different connections and passions. “We’ve got a good range of different ways to find out what’s going on,” she said. “There are people at the church who take a look each Sunday or mid-week when it gets really cold and continue to top up the blanket box.”