Page 1032 - Week 04 - Thursday, 7 May 2020
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simple tasks, such as the shopping every week is difficult. Add to that the global pandemic and the couple have been doing it especially tough during this time. One of my other neighbours that I also know very well, Mayank Joshi, has been helping them. I probably sound like Gladys Kravitz looking over garden fences, but I love to talk to people in my community, especially my neighbours.
Recently Mr Joshi has been doing compassionate shopping for the couple and has been using their shopping list to buy them groceries and supplies. Mr Joshi is a strict Hindu and is strictly vegetarian. His religious beliefs make it difficult for him to handle meats of any kind—even to see them or touch them. However, in order to assist his neighbours he has been spending a lot of time looking confused in the meat aisle on their behalf.
This is a brief and simple story, but I believe it conveys that our community—that includes all parts our community across different religion and cultures—have come together to support one another, indifferent to what sets us apart. During this time of crisis, people are going above and beyond to support one another.
I am happy to take some time today to recognise some groups and organisations that are performing incredible acts of community service across Canberra. I will not be able to mention every wonderful organisation, as I would be here for many days. However, I would like to mention a few.
Recently I had the pleasure of joining BAPS to help them distribute food to vulnerable Canberrans in need of support. They have been making deliveries across Australia since 16 March and have so far served 13,000 hot meals and delivered 7,000 kilograms of stable items. They have also delivered more than 500 essential care packs to vulnerable Australians. Just this weekend they prepared more than 100 meals for international students here in Canberra.
I also mention the support of Turbans 4 Australia. I recently spoke to Mr Paramdeep Nrain, who coordinates the Canberra branch of Turbans 4 Australia, a community organisation run by the Sikh community. Turbans 4 Australia started distributing groceries and other essentials to families along the South Coast during the bushfire this summer and resumed this service during the COVID-19 lockdown. They now have over 35 volunteers helping them out, and their efforts keep growing. They deliver home-cooked meals and hampers of essentials to Canberrans in isolation or who are otherwise vulnerable.
They recently approached the Indian Pantry restaurant in Florey and the owner has loaned them his kitchen to support their work. Paramdeep and his team are now providing between 80 to 130 meals per day and are delivering meals and groceries across Canberra, as well as to Yass, Murrumbateman and Braidwood.
Last week I worked with the Canberra India Council, Marie Ball Associates, Vishnushiva Mandir in Mawson and Canberra Telugu Vanni Inc to deliver food hampers to international students at ANU who have lost their income and are in need of support. It was wonderful to be part of a group of like-minded people who care so deeply about helping their community. They have been delivering rice, lentils, fruits
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