The mad flurry is upon us, in all its tinselly cheer. The cheap plastics are out in force while we all blindly keep step with the beating drum of Christmas marketing.

In my quiet moments I ponder if year after year in our straining to be it all, have it all, do it all, we are slowly losing touch with the beating heart behind the birth of Christ. There’s a gentle rhythm of a song being sung that echoes through the ages, inviting us to join with it in harmony. It whispers of hope and its melody is one of love, the kind of deep love that moves mountains, chases down lost sheep, and sets hearts ablaze.

It’s not raucous, and it doesn’t scream loudly for our attention. It is quiet but boy is it fierce. It offers the sort of things that aren’t off the cheap shelf like true life, forgiveness, and hope for ever and ever.

Can you hear it this Christmas, can you slow yourself down for long enough to listen for the serenade that is sung over your life? We encourage you to let its rhythm become your meditation and allow the unconditional love of God to cover you, protect you, bless you and impart life to you as you intentionally receive all the heavenly goodness He has for you this Christmas.

Much love and Merry Christmas,

Pete and Meg

This year, you have the opportunity to directly sponsor a hamper as part of our I Said Yes campaign.

For $40, you can sponsor a full Christmas food hamper, helping us deliver food and care directly to local families.

Donations over $2 are tax deductible, and you can choose to give once-off or set up a recurring donation (for various amounts) to help throughout the year.

Together, we can make sure no one in our community goes without this Christmas.

The AOD Wellness Program has continued to grow steadily, with strong engagement across all weekly groups. We are proud to have expanded to 35 active participants.

Our Wednesday program has now maintained consistent attendance for six consecutive weeks, with 13 participants attending regularly. This growth reflects the genuine, safe, and supportive environment that participants have helped create, one where honesty and vulnerability are welcomed.

Throughout the program, we’ve seen meaningful progress among members, including individuals entering rehab, preparing for treatment, securing stable housing, and maintaining employment. We now have seven participants in housing, one working a regular Saturday job, and many who remain actively connected with clinical supports. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, not only from participants but also from community services who have engaged with our members.

A major milestone has been the opening of our new AOD house, which provides a stable, recovery-focused environment for participants needing structured support. The house has already become an important stepping stone for three participants on their path toward independence and long-term wellness.

Our Tuesday group at the Safe Shelter continues to grow in strength and reliability, offering a consistent space for connection.

Looking ahead to 2026, we are excited to deepen our partnerships with rehabs across NSW and expand our farm-based program, with a goal of doubling participation and regularly welcoming up to 20 people onsite. We are also aiming to open a second AOD house to meet growing demand in the community.

We’re incredibly proud of the courage, resilience, and hope shown by everyone involved, and we look forward to even more positive growth ahead.

Cameron

We will be selling our flower bunches at the Flour Water Salt Christmas markets in Nowra on Saturday December 20. Come along for last minute Christmas gifts and to buy some bright and happy festive blooms!

Don’t forget to also follow us @sassafrasflowersau on Facebook and Instagram and keep an eye out for where you can buy our flowers across the Shoalhaven.

Meg and the Flower Farm Team

As we come to the end of another big year at Salt, we’re humbled by what has been achieved through the commitment of our team, volunteers, partners, and supporters like you.

Here’s a glimpse of the difference we’ve made together in 2025:

Safe Accommodation
This year, Salt provided over 500 safe bed nights every month, offering a consistent lifeline to people needing immediate safety, stability, and support.

Temporary Housing
Across our Temporary Accommodation programs, we delivered around 900 nights of accommodation each month, helping individuals and families stay housed while they transition into long-term solutions.

Food Relief
With the help of our volunteers and donors, we distributed more than 1,000 community hampers every month, offering reliable, accessible food support to households right across the region.

Warehouse & Logistics
Behind the scenes, our warehouse processed around 40 pallets of donated goods each month – including furniture, food, and essential items – moving swiftly and efficiently to people who needed them most.

These numbers represent real people, real challenges, and real hope, and they remind us that when a community rallies together, lives change.

Thank you for standing with us this year.

Jacob

As we reflect on 2025, one thing is abundantly clear: Salt would not exist without the generosity and commitment of our volunteers and sponsors.

To every volunteer who has given time, energy, laughter, compassion, and skill across our programs this year – thank you. Your willingness to show up, week after week, has meant safe beds, full tummies, open doors, listening ears, and moments of dignity for people who truly needed it. You are the heartbeat of Salt.

To our sponsors, partners, and supporters – thank you for believing in this work and investing in the wellbeing of our community. Your contributions helped us respond to urgent needs, create safe spaces, run programs, and keep people connected to hope and opportunity.

Together, you have made this year possible.
Together, you have changed lives.

From all of us at Salt, thank you for standing with us in 2025.