Staff at one of Australia’s largest employment services providers rolled up their sleeves in a volunteering effort to help get hot meals to vulnerable people across Sydney experiencing homelessness and food shortages amid the cost of living crisis.
The effort, led by Asuria Executive Chairman Con Kittos, saw Asuria staff members take to the kitchens at the Greek Orthodox Church in Kogarah, where they helped to prepare and package up 400 hot, nutritious meals for delivery to those most in need across Sydney’s southwest.
With food insecurity an issue facing many Australians today, the Saint Elesa Food Initiative is a united
effort between the Greek Orthodox Parishes of Kogarah and Marrickville to support youth shelters, women’s refuges, social housing communities, and vulnerable families.
Through a team of dedicated volunteers, the community-run organisation provides essential food relief to local communities in the form of home-cooked meals, pantry items, clothes, furniture, and sanitary packs.
A toy drive is also currently underway, with everyone encouraged to donate new toys to Kogarah church by December 10, with the toys set to be hand delivered to children at the St George Children’s Ward, the Sydney Children’s Hospital in Randwick, the Ronald McDonald House in Randwick, the Bayside Women’s Shelter, St George School, Cairnsfoot School, and other charities throughout Sydney in time for Christmas.
Saint Elesa’s volunteers will also be taking to the streets on Christmas Day, handing out hot food to
Sydney’s homeless.
In addition to the volunteering effort by staff members, Asuria has also donated $15,000 to the Philoptohos Society of Kogarah to help the Saint Elesa Food Initiative with its crucial relief work.
Mr Kittos said of the experience: “I know I speak for everyone at Asuria who donated their time to the Saint Elesa Food Initiative when I say we were proud and humbled to play our small part in helping essential food packages to reach those most in need.”
Bishop Christodoulos of Magnesia added: “We’re extremely grateful to the team at Asuria for their time, compassion, and contribution in helping vulnerable members of our community to find their way through tough times.”
For more information about the Saint Elesa Food Initiative, visit the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/saintelesafoodinitiative/
