A CANBERRA-based fundraiser that helps families with grocery vouchers has set the ambitious target of raising $100,000 to help 1000 families this Christmas.

Started in 2019 by Canberra mum Natalie Tanchevski, 100’$ for Thousands gives $100 grocery gift vouchers in hampers that are assembled and distributed by the Salvation Army. 

Tanchevski, 43, was inspired to establish the fundraiser following a conversation with a Salvos worker about what people need most at Christmas.

“My daughter was doing a drama class at the Gungahlin Salvos and while I was waiting for her I got talking to the guy who runs the Salvos there, and I asked him ‘What do the Salvos do for families at Christmas time, and how can we help?’,” she said.

“He said they give hampers out. At that moment I thought wouldn’t it be great if I raised money to give 100 families $100 grocery gift cards to go in the hampers… and that’s how it started.” 

In 2019, the fundraiser raised $16,500 helping 165 families with grocery vouchers. 

“Then in 2020 we raised $55,000 and helped 550 families, and in 2021 we raised $88,000 and helped 880 families,” she said. “This year I hope to crack $100,000.”

Since its inception three years ago, 100’$ for Thousands has raised $159,500 providing 1595 families with grocery vouchers across Canberra and the region. 

“If we can crack the $100,000 goal this year that means this little fundraiser will have raised over a quarter of a million dollars, which is phenomenal,” said Tanchevski.

With the cost of living going up, Tanchevski said the grocery vouchers help ease some of the financial burden. 

The voucher gives the recipient the flexibility to choose the food items that suit their needs, she said.

“I love the idea of a voucher rather than pre-selected grocery items because it means that people have the freedom to choose the food they like to eat,” she said.

“The voucher gives people the independence and dignity they deserve to go out and shop for what they need rather than be given a hand-out.”

During covid, Tanchevski kept the fundraiser going as it kept her spirits up and helped assist others. 

“When I started this I did it as a one off thing, but when covid hit and it brought a little bit of hardship for everyone I wanted to keep it going,” she said.

“I really struggled during lockdown. We had homeschooling and my mother had breast cancer, and we couldn’t be there to support her with her treatment.

“But I found something in this fundraiser that gave me joy and a sense of purpose. It lit me up inside and that’s what drove me to continue it.”

The fundraiser has expanded across the region to include Yass, Goulburn, Queanbeyan and Cooma, and it has partnered with businesses who are matching donations.

“We have super donors who are local businesses that have come on board to be dollar-matching partners in different locations,” Tanchevski said.

“So each location has a super donor who is matching your donation, so every dollar you donate is $2.”

People can donate money online and nominate to help someone in their suburb, Tanchevski said.

“We have a website where people can donate and choose from 10 different locations to donate, too,” she said.

“It’s not just about donating to Canberrans, it’s taking it a step further and helping a family in need in your suburb.”

A committed Salvos supporter, Tanchevski has fond memories of giving generously to the charity at Christmas to help it fund the many worthy causes the Salvation Army is known for.

“I’ve always loved the Salvos,” she said.

“When you see them in the shopping centres I always give them $5 when I walk past. 

“And at Christmas we have always – since the kids were little – given their old toys in the weeks before Christmas.”

She never imagined herself heading up a fundraiser like this. It was born out of her passion to help people.

“I’ve never had any desire to run a fundraiser,” Tanchevski said.

“The only way I can describe it was this tap on the shoulder moment that said ‘You need to do this’.”

Donations to hundredsforthousands.salvationarmy.org.au