Image: A homeless man getting a haircut. Credit : Mark Callanan
BY PAUL CLARK
There’s a sign on a chalk board at Sydney’s 24-7 Street Kitchen and Safe Space in Martin Place which says, “If you think somebody should do something about a problem, remember you are somebody.” Across Sydney, people are doing things to help address the problems of homelessness and poverty in ways great and small.
The Leichhardt Congregational Church has been operating a community pantry since late February. The pantry is located in front of the church and invites people to donate food items if they can and take items if they are in need.
Pastor Stephen Hitchins says the church first saw the idea posted by the Marrickville Pay it Forward Group on Facebook, in a video called ‘The Little Free Pantry.’ A woman in Arkansas USA was inspired by free library boxes to create a food pantry outside her local church to help mitigate food insecurity for some in the community.
“One of the major benefits of the pantry is that it is accessible 24/7 and it provides for some a means of getting help without being confronted by having to ask personally,” says Pastor Hitchins.
The church believes the pantry is being well used and on some days it needs to be completely replenished. Currently, the church is supplying a large percentage of the food items, a situation which may change as more people become aware of the benefits the pantry provides.
“One of the pleasing aspects of the initiative is hearing parents explain to their children the concept of the pantry and the need to help others within the community.
“We hope the pantry inspires other groups to do the same,” said Pastor Hitchens.
Meanwhile in the CBD, the annual Sydney Homeless Connect is coming up next month. This event helps put homeless people in touch with practical assistance.
Co-founded by Andrew Everingham and Peter Durie, Sydney Homeless Connect has been run each year since 2010 and will be held again on Tuesday 27 June.
According to Homelessness Australia, more than 28,000 people are homeless in NSW and more than 105,000 people are homeless across the nation. Sydney Homeless Connect is another way that Sydneysiders are taking action and doing what they can to help those in need this winter. The event will be run at Sydney Town Hall for its eighth consecutive year.
The not-for-profit event is 100% volunteer run and is designed to provide a ‘one stop shop’ to connect people who are homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless, with service and care providers. Free haircuts, shoes, dental and medical checks, and sessions with housing agencies are some of the goods and services offered.
In addition, Sydney Homeless Connect says that a Women’s Retreat area will be set up for women to receive a personal care pack and freely discuss the challenges they face day-to-day.
“There are many faces to homelessness and it can affect anyone,” says a spokesperson for Sydney Homeless Connect. “Through Sydney Homeless Connect, Sydneysiders have taken their first step towards solving this epidemic and they’re fighting the battle with compassion.”
The Sydney Homeless Connect event will be at Sydney Town Hall on Tuesday, 27 June 2017 from 10am to 3pm.
For more details see: www.sydneyhomelessconnect.com
