LOCALS have the chance to become more aware of the issue of poverty and help fight it in the Redlands as part of national Anti-Poverty Week from October 12 to 18.

Redland City Council is running a week-long awareness campaign and collection appeal through its libraries, enabling people to make a tangible difference to the lives of those living with poverty in our local community.

Deputy Mayor Toni Bowler will launch the local campaign on October 11 at the Victoria Point Library at 10am. The event is open to all.

Redland Mayor Melva Hobson encouraged locals to consider what they could spare to help support the agencies providing emergency relief to those experiencing poverty and hardship in the Redlands.

"Australia is still the lucky country, but there are many families who still struggle to make ends meet. For them, the demand to even have food in the house every day is a challenge," Cr Hobson said.

"There are many reasons why this happens, and Anti-Poverty Week is a chance for us as a community to understand how poverty occurs, and show we care about those affected by it."

Anti-Poverty Week was established in Australia as an expansion of the United Nation's annual International Anti-Poverty Day on October 17.

The main aims of Anti-Poverty Week are to:

* Strengthen public understanding of the causes and consequences of poverty and hardship around the world and in Australia, and:

* Encourage research, discussion and action to address these problems, including action by individuals, communities, organisations and governments.

Redland residents and businesses can donate non-perishable food items, new linen, bed clothes, toiletries, make-up and cleaning products.

For more information and a full list of all items required, phone Council's Community Development Team on 3829 8489.