Hi everyone,

I wanted to share a bit more openly about why this matters so much to me, and where this is going.

When I talk about “the gap,” I’m talking about people who don’t look like they’re struggling.

People who are working, paying their bills, raising families, showing up every day, and still quietly going without.

They are not in crisis on paper.
They are not accessing support.
But they are still doing it tough.

They walk into places that say they provide affordable, low cost goods, and then walk back out because they simply cannot afford what is there.

And they do it quietly.

That is the gap.

I have been sharing stories on my Instagram and TikTok, and the amount of people reaching out with the same experience has been overwhelming. This is not one off. This is a pattern.

We are in a cost of living crisis, and being told to “just use vouchers” does not make sense when these stores are meant to be affordable for the general public.

So instead of staying quiet, I have taken action.

I have contacted organisations directly, reviewed their public submissions, and escalated this to government representatives and regulators.

Vinnies have responded.
The Salvos have not responded to me or to media enquiries.

The petition you signed matters. It shows that this is not just one voice. It is many.

But I do not want this to stop at a conversation.

I am collecting real examples from across the country and building a community clothing project to support people in that gap.

Run by the community, for the community.

And I am also adding something new.

I am starting a community garden on my mum’s land at Tinderbox, Tasmania.

It will be volunteer run, for the community. A place where people can grow food, share food, and support each other.

We need to remember that we are meant to be a village.

If you are able to help set up garden beds, netting, source materials, or you know how to get something like this up and running, please reach out. I would genuinely love your help.

I am still working through the legal side of everything and waiting on charity approval and contracts to be properly set up.

If you would like to support what I am building, I am accepting small donations to help with initial setup costs. 

Donations will go toward initial setup costs such as storage, washing and sorting supplies, transport, and materials for the community garden including garden beds, soil, netting and basic tools. I will also set up an accountant and organise a lawyer. 

This is personal fundraising for a community project in early setup stages. It is not yet a registered charity and donations are not tax deductible. Yet! We are just waiting. 

Transparency is really important to me, and I will always be clear about where things are at.

I will list bank account details below, I am also happy to share receipts and I will be documenting this as we go along. 

Cassandra Eagling

BSB: 067-872

ACC: 4504-3895

I will also be sharing the submissions I have referenced so everything remains open and transparent.

If you have experienced this gap, or seen it in your own community, please reply or send it through.

The more people who speak, the harder this becomes to ignore.

Thank you for being here and for caring.

Cass