NEW VAN HAS ALL THE BELLS AND WHISTLES TO FEED THE HOMELESS

Canterbury League Club’s staff-led monthly food run to feed the homeless in Martin Place and Woolloomooloo with Maronites on Mission (MoM) has been one of the longest and most successful staff community projects to date.

On the last Thursday of every month, six Canterbury staff volunteers donate four hours of their time to go out in the MoM food van to help distribute over 150 hot meals, sandwiches, drinks, snacks and fruit to the two locations in the city.

Aside from providing staff volunteers and meals for the homeless, Canterbury has followed up their commitment to MoM’s charitable work by providing $80,000 for the purchase of a second, larger high-tech van. The new van has a generator to keep food constantly warm, a retractable awning to keep volunteers dry in wet weather, a built-in electric hot water tank to serve tea and coffee, and built in tables that fold away.

The new customised van was unveiled a few months ago at Canterbury to much excitement and anticipation. A number of dignitaries attended the launch including Maronite Bishop of Australia His Excellency Bishop Antoine Charbel Tarabay, Tony Burke Federal Member for Watson, State Member for Canterbury Sophie Cotsis, President of Maronite Catholic Society Georges Bakhos, former Bankstown mayor Khal Asfour, Canterbury Director George Coorey and Canterbury CEO Dave Brace.

“Homelessness affects almost 41 out of every 10,000 people every day and there are many causes including mental illness, victims of domestic violence and a shortage of affordable housing in this city. Nutritiously-balanced food goes a long way towards eliminating hunger and fulfilling a basic necessity of life,” said Dave Brace, CEO of Canterbury League Club.