Traditionally, Shrove Tuesday is the last day to eat all the flour, eggs and dairy products in your kitchen before the start of Lent which is a time of abstinence and reflection in the 40 days before Easter. The European custom of making pancakes on Shrove Tuesday was one way to use up these ‘luxury’ items.
UnitingCare Pancake Day is about having a great day of fun with friends while supporting local people in need. Throughout February hundreds of groups across Victoria and Tasmania will host events to raise money to support people in need.
Funds raised at UnitingCare Pancake Day events help UnitingCare provide practical support to disadvantaged Victorians and Tasmanians, including the homeless, abused and vulnerable children and adults, the frail and aged, families in crisis and those with disabilities.
About UnitingCare
UnitingCare is one of the leading providers of services to Victorians and Tasmanians in need. UnitingCare Victoria and Tasmania is a network of large and small agencies with the commitment of over 7000 volunteers and over 4000 staff who deliver various early childhood, aged and community services to more than 350,000 people annually. UnitingCare also gives voice to the voiceless through listening to individuals and communities, research and advocacy.
Services include:
• Lifeline telephone counselling in Ballarat and Melbourne
• Family counselling and support services for more than 2000 families
• Early intervention and child assessment/therapy services
• Friendly visiting services to almost 2000 people
• Community aged care day centres and independent living units
• Family violence prevention and support
• Adoption information
• Family resource and drop-in centres
• Tenancy/consumer and legal advice services
• Early childhood services – Preschool and childcare
• Alcohol and drug services
• Mental health support services
• Emergency relief support
• Disability services
