Anglicare Victoria's director of information, performance and technology Tom Hadkiss addressed Anglicare Warrnambool's annual meeting.

He told more than 50 south-west volunteers and partners of the Warrnambool service's programs that strength within a community was paramount.

"Communities only grow with strong foundations. The vulnerable people and children that I see and hear about everyday can only re-enter their community when we as a community allow them too," he said.

The annual meeting was told Anglicare Warrnambool Emergency Relief Centre regularly responded to requests for emergency food.

The number of emergency food parcels had risen significantly in the past six years. It distributed 1269 in 2013 and jumped to 2116 in 2018. So far this calendar year the number was steady at 957 which equated to $56,214 of donated and purchased goods.

"Warrnambool is a successful and growing community. This is reflected in its programs and how they create safe and caring places," Mr Hadkiss said.

Anglicare Warrnambool's Drop in Centre provides visitors the opportunity to have a light refreshment and conversations with volunteers. During the 2018-19 the total number of individual visitors was 2483 which included 1673 males, 736 females, 63 children and 11 teenagers.

The south-west Brick Club extends its services to Warrnambool and Corangamite to enable children, families and elderly people of all abilities to explore play time in a supportive environment.

"The clubs provide a structured activity using Lego as a focus for children to play together and families to understand different behaviours," Mr Hadkiss said.

The social monthly Brick Club services welcomed 22 children and their families in Warrnambool and 48 Corangamite children and families.

Also based in Warrnambool and Corangamite schools, the club has seen a total of 778 children enjoying the program.

Many other programs run through Anglicare Warrnambool aiming to prevent hardships and protect and empower people within the community. Along with the dedicated staff, Anglicare had 33 volunteers in 2018-19.

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