Lutheran Care is excited to launch our 2026 Lenten Appeal today on Ash Wednesday – the first day of Lent.
Our Lenten Appeal is an important fundraiser for Lutheran Care’s work with some of the most vulnerable people in our local communities and this year we are asking our supporters to give what they can and help families and individuals reclaim dignity this Lent.
People like John* and Helen*.
The couple in their late 60s found themselves living in their station wagon last year, with occasional stays in motels and caravan parks when they could afford it — a far cry from the retirement they had dreamed of.
“You work your whole life, pay taxes, raise a family, and look forward to your retirement — the years you hope to rest and enjoy your health. You never imagine homelessness could affect you…until you find yourself in that situation,” John told us.
The pair never owned a home but were content renting and living within their means on their pension payments. Unfortunately, they had to leave when their landlord decided to sell, and they had no idea the rental market would be so volatile.
“The number of houses in our price range were few and far between, and the number we applied for and missed out on — it was so heartbreaking and really exhausting,” Helen shared.
Having been brought up in the church, Helen turned back to her faith during this time of need and noticed an advertisement for Lutheran Care’s Emergency Relief service at Blair Athol.
The Lutheran Care team swung into action, providing ongoing support over several months, including food, car registration assistance, fuel vouchers, swags, and clothing — helping make their situation in the car as safe and comfortable as possible.
Eventually, with our support, the couple secured funding to purchase a caravan, offering them a more stable living arrangement.
“We were so grateful for the help, but not only that, the way the Lutheran Care team made us feel. We weren’t different, we weren’t less-than,” Helen said.
Read more about the couple’s story here
How you can help
Right now, there are so many people like John and Helen who are desperate for a fresh start, safety and stability.
A quick snapshot from 2025 shows that Lutheran Care saw:
- 2141 families for Emergency Relief
- 4642 ER appointments – (about 90 families a week)
- 45% of clients accessing help for the first time
Our frontline teams are at capacity, and because of this, we are forced to turn some people away every day. We are relying on more and more community donations to ensure these people don’t leave hungry.
With your generous support this Lent, you can help families in crisis by providing critical food relief so no one goes hungry; bedding and clothing to keep people warm and safe; access to healthcare and essential services; transport, supermarket and op shop vouchers; and referral to life-changing programs — including financial counselling, family violence support, homelessness services and parenting programs.
Lutheran Care is one of very few charities homegrown right here in South Australia. Every dollar you give stays in our community, helping vulnerable families rebuild their lives.
As we prepare to move into the 40 days of Lent, we ask you to please consider giving what you can to help Lutheran Care change lives and make a difference to families and individuals in crisis.
On behalf of those we support, we deeply appreciate what you can give.
40 Day Challenge
As part of the 2026 Lutheran Care Lenten Appeal, we are asking our supporters to take part in our 40 Day Challenge — a simple but meaningful way to reflect, give and make a difference, and raise funds by giving up something important to you.
During Lent, many people choose to give up something they enjoy or rely on —such as takeaway coffee, sweets, alcohol or social media — as an act of reflection and self-discipline.
The money saved by doing this can then be donated to support Lutheran Care’s work with vulnerable South Australians. For example, giving up a $5 coffee each day over the 40 days of Lent could raise around $200 — enough to help provide food, emergency relief, or practical support for someone in crisis.
*Names have been changed to protect clients’ privacy