Young men who have just been released from jail are among people being helped in their hour of need by "Dubbo Vinnies".
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Dubbo's Ian Wray and his team of St Vincent de Paul Society volunteers are responding to people experiencing or at risk of homelessness "seven days a week, whatever hour".
"We do get young fellows who have been released from Wellington Correctional Centre and we organise accommodation and food for them, and transport to get them home to their loved ones," he said.
Mr Wray, who attends to "most of the after-hours calls", said people in distress, experiencing medical emergencies and sleeping rough were among those needing support, along with travellers with empty stomachs and petrol tanks.
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Mr Wray is speaking out in the lead-up to the Dubbo Vinnies Sleepout and Community Dinner at St Brigid's Parish Hall on Saturday.
The event's fundraising goal is $10,000 with donations and registrations for the sleepout able to be made at www.communitysleepout.org.au/dubbo.
"We are always desperate for funds," Mr Wray said. "I'm always in trouble because I'm spending over budget. But I won't see a person in trouble.
"Some nights you have to dig into your own pockets but that's the way Vincentian organisations work."
Mr Wray said Dubbo Vinnies worked collaboratively with other organisations in the city including Orana Support Service, the Salvation Army and Emmanuel Care.
Dubbo Vinnies spent $100,000 assisting 1300 people in the12-month period ending May 11. About $70,000 went on more than 1400 food parcels for families and $16,000 on accommodation.
Vinnies Dubbo will also launch its Winter Appeal this weekend with tax-deductible donations able to be left at its shop at 126 Brisbane Street.
Meanwhile, Dubbo Vinnies has received another donation of 12 coats specially made for people sleeping rough.
The donation by the Order of Malta was organised by one of its knights, Dubbo's Dr David Schuster.
The coats have "inner pockets" which protect the possessions of wearers, are weatherproof and warm.