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How a surplus goods “matchmaker” is responding to bushfires
Goods matchmaker Good360 is among the many not-for-profits involved in bushfire response, aiming for a “strategic and sustainable” approach to long-term recovery that holds lessons for other community leaders. The charity, known for its efforts in redistributing goods at Christmas, is ramping up in response to the bushfire emergency by diverting surplus stock from the country’s biggest retailers into the hands of people who need it most. Already it has redistributed personal care items and cleaning products to shelters and evacuation centres, and it plans to use its connections to distribute furniture, mattresses and other necessities as they are needed.
Good360’s tactics are informed by lessons learned by Good360 US, where up to 60% of goods donated during North American disasters ended up in landfill or were wasted, and where a reduction of giving over time tended to impede long-term recovery. That’s why the Australian arm’s disaster response framework aims to extend the recovery program well beyond the immediate aftermath. That framework identifies six phases – preparedness, response, recover, rebuild, refurnish and relive – and involves partners at every phase. Good360 managing director Alison Covington (pictured above right) said the organisation was expecting an extended assistance campaign.
