The charities supporting millions of Aussie families this Christmas

Aussie charities are some of the best in the world, and thank goodness for them this Christmas, with many families struggling to make ends meet in the lead up to the festive season.

Over three million Aussies will access help this Christmas, making the work done by these charities even more important.

Whether you find yourself in need of assistance or you'd like to give back to help others, we'll take you through the best organisations for food, gifts and so much more.

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Foodbank

Foodbank is the largest such charity in Australia, helping to feed millions of families each year, and their services are even more in demand in the lead up to Christmas due to rising food prices and cost-of-living in general.

A donation of $50 will provide 300 meals this Christmas, $75 will pay for 450 meals and $100 will provide 600 meals for those in need.

The organisation is holding food drives in local areas or you can contribute online.

Salvation Army Australia

The Salvation Army is hosting Christmas lunches for those facing Christmas Day alone. There is no need to feel lonely if you have nobody to share the day with.

Contact the 'Salvos' to register your interest or if you would like to support their work and contribute, visit the website.

In addition to hosting Christmas lunch, the Salvation Army is also handing out food and gift hampers for families in need.

Kmart's Wishing Tree Appeal

The Kmart Wising Tree Appeal is running once more in collaboration with the Salvation Army Australia. This year the theme is 'Small Gift, Big Heart.'

Each year customers drop off gifts under the Kmart Wishing Tree. You can also make a monetary contribution instore or online and have your name added to the tree.

This year the appeal is focusing on providing clothing, books, school supplies, everyday essentials and gift cards.

Make a donation instead of giving a gift

My ex-husband suggested this to our children instead of gifts this year, and they weren't too enthused, so I think this is a great idea to do in addition to a gift.

The best places to donate this year include:

The Smith Family

This year The Smith Family is once again focusing on helping all Australian children access education with everything they need, and are stocking up ahead of the new school year in 2023.

Mission Australia

Increasing homelessness is a huge issue in Australia as mortgage payments and rental costs continue to increase. Mission Australia is raising funds to help support those who find themselves without a home this Christmas.

Make-A-Wish

You can help grant the wishes of critically ill children this year by contributing to the Make-A-Wish foundation. You can donate money or help gift an experience.

UNICEF

Children around the world are suffering in a myriad of ways, including those in the Ukraine due to the war. Help support kids in countries far and wide through UNICEF this Christmas.

Salvation Army Australia

The 'Salvos' are raising funds for their important work this Christmas, in particular those being impacted by the cost-of-living crisis. The organisation will help with food costs, gifts and ongoing expenses.

Uber Australia and The Red Cross Christmas 2022 Appeal

This year Uber and The Red Cross have joined forces to help struggling Aussies, organisting a collection of quality, pre-loved clothing for those in need.

Collection day is Saturday, November 19, between 10am and 4pm. You can book a free Uber Package pickup via the Uber app, or look up your local drop-off point.

Red Cross stores also urgently need high-quality clothing and accessories.

Helping the world

The Catherine Hamlin Fistula Foundation

This is an Australian-based charity that raises funds for the Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia. The organisation, founded by Dr Catherine Hamlin, works to prevent and treat horrific childbirth injuries in Ethiopia.

You can find out more here.

Oxfam Australia

Oxfam helps developing countries around the world by helping locals develop skills to build better lives. Their focus is on inequality and the elimination of poverty.

Find out more here.

Unicef

Unicef is currently focused on addressing hunger issues in places like Yemen, Afghanistan and across the Horn of Africa where children are suffering malnutrition due to conflict and extreme weather condition.

Contribute here.

The Leprosy Mission Australia

This incredible organisation works to elimiate the stigma and discrimination that impacts those suffering from leprosy, a curable infectious disease that causes skin lesions and nerve damage. Currently, 208,000 people are the world suffer from the condition, most of them in Africa and Asia.

Find out more here.