Most people donate with the best intentions. You clear out a cupboard, set aside what you no longer need and donate it in hopes it helps someone doing it tough. That generosity matters, but if you want your donation to have real impact, it helps to know what is actually needed on the ground.
At Big Group Hug, we see firsthand what gets donated, what’s requested and what runs out fastest, and the gaps are often not where people expect.
1. The Invisible Cohort
One in six children in Victoria live in poverty, and the families receiving support have children aged from newborn through to 16 (BGH Annual Report, 2025). Yet donations are heavily concentrated around babies. Tiny clothes, toys and nursery items often arrive in volumes, while support for teenagers is far less consistent.
The gap is most visible in the mid–teens. Young people aged 14-16 are often overlooked, despite many facing family crisis, housing instability and financial stress.
Our annual report shows this pressure, with more than 700 requests for junior/youth shoes unable to be filled – around one in three requests going unmet.
What is often needed:
- Teen clothing in good condition
- Hoodies, track pants, jeans and jackets
- Backpacks and school appropriate items
- Age appropriate personal care products
If you are clearing out wardrobes, pause before skipping the teen sizes. They are usually the first to run low.
2. The Hygiene Gap Impacting Dignity
Hygiene essentials are one of the most requested and least donated categories across all age groups.
In the past year alone, more than 6,500 toiletry packs and 6,300 sanitary item packs were distributed through Big Group Hug’s support network, with both categories rising year on year (BGH Annual Report, 2025). That level of demand reflects how often these basics fall out of reach.
When hygiene items are missing it affects more than just health. Our impact reporting notes that teenagers without access to hygiene products are more likely to withdraw socially and disengage from peers. This is not just about cleanliness, this shows a direct link between hygiene poverty and dignity, confidence and participation.
With cost-of-living pressure rising, families often cut personal care items from budgets first, prioritising food and bills.
If you want your donation to meet a clear and immediate need, these hygiene items make a real difference:
- Toothbrushes and toothpaste
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Body wash and soap
- Deodorant
- Period care products
- Hair brushes and combs
- Toilet paper
- Nappies
A simple toiletry pack can mean a child goes to school feeling clean and confident, and a parent avoids an impossible choice at the checkout.
3. Big Group Hug Makes Donating Easy
Donation bins have disappeared across Melbourne due to illegal dumping and misuse, making it harder for people to pass on good quality items responsibly.
To combat this, Big Group Hug uses verified community drop off points instead. Donors can choose a nearby suburb, connect with a local volunteer and donate directly.
Unlike charity retail models where goods are resold (often at prices that can still be out of reach for families in crisis), these items are distributed directly to children and families in need at no cost via caseworkers and support services. Last year alone, more than 139,000 essential items were distributed to over 7,700 children through this model.
Ways you can donate to Big Group Hug:
- Drop-off at one of our warehouses in Airport West or Thomastown.
- Donate via a donation drop off point.
- Request a paid donation pickup for large items.
- Post new or pre-loved items to our PO box.
- Order essentials online and have them delivered to our Thomastown warehouse
If you want to go one step further, you can also become part of the access network yourself by hosting a drop off point at your home, workplace, school or community centre. Find out more below.
