Fire victims need cash, not goods, as new fund established

This is why the state government has launched a dedicated new fund where you can donate money to help communities decimated by the fires.

The fund has been established in partnership with the Bendigo Bank Community Enterprise Foundation and the Salvation Army to provide practical support as these Victorians begin to rebuild their lives.

The use of funds will help to meet the most urgent needs of local families, covering the cost of everything from a grocery shop to replacing school uniforms.

The appeal will also help address the most immediate priorities of communities, including the rescue and rehabilitation of local wildlife.

Donations to the new fund will be held in a dedicated account overseen by Pat McNamara, former Victorian Deputy Premier and Minister for Police and Emergency Services.

The government will contribute $2 million to the fund and ensuring impacted families and communities have the support they need right away.

Premier Daniel Andrews said he hoped this fund will help assist families who have shown remarkable courage.

"Through this fund, we'll help make sure that at the very least they don't have to worry about the small but vital things like putting food on the table or getting their kids to school," Mr Andrews said.

To donate, click here.

READ MORE: Livestock losses from Victorian fires climb

See how else you can help, below:

Community raffles each Thursday at North Ballarat Sports Club will support Country Fire Authority.

North Ballarat Sports Club is also collecting spare change and will match dollar-for-dollar all cash donations to also support fire relief via club charity foundation North Cares.

The club is working with PRDnationwide Ballarat as a collection point for food, water and essential toiletries.

Items will support Gippsland Farmer Relief and be distributed via Bairnsdale Relief Centre.

Hay bales can also be dropped off at North Ballarat Sports Club.

The club will also host a special bingo fundraising night on January 14. More details to come via the club's Facebook page, @NorthBallaratSportsClub.

Drop your donations to North Ballarat Sports Club at Mars Stadium in Creswick Road or call 5339 5944.

Ballarat resident Kay Hodgson has started a Facebook page Rebuild Upper Murray to provide a platform for people to find out how they can help the communities of Corryong and Cudgewa recover from the devastating fire.

Rebuild Upper Murray is promoting a Go Fund Me fundraiser to support Cudgewa and surrounding communities pay for generators, solar, food, building supplies, plumbing and electrical materials and other basic supplies.

Gather My Crew is an Australian charity that provides free technology to help people activate support crews during tough times.

The online roster and communication tool encourages people to identify the help they need and invite their community of friends and family to lend a hand.

Support crews can be set up in a matter of minutes and often run for many months as they adjust to the changing needs of a family.

Visit the website, here.

A new website is helping families affected by fire find a temporary place to stay.

Daniel Ferguson, Snake Valley, created and launched the Helping Homes website on Friday.

Residents who wish to open their homes to others in need can list their contact details and rough location on the website.

People who have evacuated or their homes have been destroyed can get in touch and organise arrangements to stay with their family and animals.

Visit the website, here.

Creswick artist Tahlia Stanton is donating all proceeds from the auction of "Horizons" to WIRES Wildlife Rescue.

Ms Stanton has extended the auction until 5pm on January 9.

See the post below. Visit her page here.

Bendigo-based not-for-profit Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal's disaster resilience and recovery fund will support communities in medium to long-term recovery projects.

Click here for more details.