Thousands of school text books and Christmas presents donated to the Les Twentyman Foundation have been destroyed in the fire at Footscray's Little Saigon market.
The foundation was using most of the top floor of the two-storey building as a library for students who couldn't afford to buy their own textbooks as part of its back-to-school program.
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Huge fire destroys Little Saigon Market
Thousands of school books and toys donated to the Les Twentyman Foundation for Christmas have been destroyed, and market stalls lost in a huge fire in Footscray.
At least 6000 textbooks, mostly donated by Melbourne private schools, have likely been lost – as well as presents for the foundation's Christmas party that were destined for teens who would otherwise get nothing.
"The kids are going to miss out at school this year," Mr Twentyman said at the scene of the fire on Tuesday morning.
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Offers of support had been extended to the foundation throughout Tuesday, including a $10,000 donation from the CFMEU, who offered their office space in West Melbourne to Mr Twentyman.
Mr Twentyman said the back-to-school program had been running for 27 years and provided more than 400 students with textbooks every year, including disadvantaged youths and young people who come to Australia as refugees without their parents.
It costs on average $800 a year for textbooks, Mr Twentyman said.
Youth Support Services, which supports young people at risk of entering the youth justice system, also had two employees who worked out of the building.
Mr Twentyman said Footscray had lost an institution.
"It's been a part of the western suburbs for 30-odd years," he said.
The foundation's community engagement manager Lisa Blackmore said she was supposed to pick up the presents on Tuesday night to give to one of their supporters to wrap.
"I just know how much effort all these guys have put in," she said.
"But things happen and you just get through it."
The foundation is asking for donations to replace the gifts and school books.
Cash donations can be made via Les Twentyman at www.ltfoundation.com.au, while material donations can be made by phoning the organisation on 9689 4800.