Local resident Garry Malhotra has always loved his community, so when the latest outbreak hit the ACT, he knew he had to step up and help the most vulnerable in his hometown of Canberra.
It all started with a simple Facebook post offering to cook and deliver meals to anyone who needs them in lockdown. For a few weeks now, Garry has been delivering free meals to people across Canberra and said the demand for his service has grown dramatically over that time.
“I started with just myself and my extended family but now we have quite a few volunteers helping us; we’ve got 18-20 people delivering the food and about 10 people in the kitchen and we always need more help,” Garry said.
“We are also asking for food donations right now as we aren’t a registered charity so cannot take cash donations, but are right now in contact with the local Rotary Club who may be able to take donations in on behalf of us.”
Since that first Facebook post, Garry has been working every day without a day off, and said he’ll keep going as long as people need him.
“I’m working 18 hours a day, every day, and to be honest, I’m a bit tired now,” Garry said.
There’s been a demand for vegan hot meals, so he has started adding a third item to his daily menu and has been seeing requests for baby food and puree for toddlers, so has also been accommodating the needs of these struggling parents.
“What I’ve learned during this lockdown is that it’s not just during Covid that people need support, there are still a lot of Canberrans after the pandemic that will still need assistance, so we are going to start a district charity at our current location and make it possible for homeless people to walk in, have a shower and have a hot meal,” Garry said.
“As I say, Canberra is my home and the Canberran people are my family, and we will always be here to support our family.”
The Ken Behrens Helping Hands group are requiring donations of food to help prepare the meals; donations can be dropped off at Canberra Club House in Narrabundah (61 Jerrabomberra Avenue).
They are asking for donations of pasta, rice, chicken and beef, takeaway containers, fresh vegetables, vegetable oil, tomato paste, ginger and garlic paste, and takeaway bags. Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Garry through his Facebook page.
If you’re struggling during lockdown to feed you or your family, you can request meals here.
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