NILS is a Cowra based organisation run through the Neighbourhood Centre providing loans of up to $900 for people on pensions or benefits needing money for essential household and personal items.

The loans pool is self supporting - it recycles its funds over and over. As loans are repaid, the money is loaned to another client. Hence a reliable Loans Pool needs to be established to satisfy a growing demand for loans.

A large auction and garage sale with donated goods from St Raphael's Hall and boosted by generous donations of saleable goods brought in over $1,200.

The Calleen Trust donated $1,000 and the Cowra Services Club donated $1,000.

NILS also received a donation of $5,000 from a local resident who prefers to remain anonymous. A recent raffle for a Sandwich Grill drawn before Mothers Day further boosted the finances. The lucky winner of the raffle was Kevin Anderson.

As an immediate result, NILS Coordinator, Debbie Butwell has been able to interview many more clients in the past three months.

Several of the clients' requests, after careful consideration by the Assessment Team, have successfully received loans and the waiting list is shortening after a long period of delay due to unavailability of sufficient funds in the Loan Pool.

The Loans Pool has now reached $34,000 and the Cowra No Interest Loans Committee will continue its quest to reach the desired goal of $40,000 for its Loans Pool. Community members may be aware of funds remaining in bank accounts of some organisations that no longer exist. Such funds would be much appreciated by NILS.

The NILS committee is truly thankful and delighted by the community support received to date including the regular support of the Cowra Guardian.

They would like to encourage other individuals or organisations in the Cowra and Canowindra districts to send a donation to this unique scheme. Loan recipients are able to purchase necessary household and personal goods which they can pay off in easy fortnightly installments. All donations to Cowra NILS are tax deductible. Donations may be sent to: Cowra NILS, 15 Vaux Street, Cowra.

If you are requiring more information about the scheme, make an appointment to see the Coordinator, Debbie Butwell at the Neighbourhood Centre, telephone 6342 4900 on any Tuesday or Wednesday

morning.