A generous wellbeing initiative in the west
Every Wednesday and Friday afternoon, the team from community organisation Reaching Out in the Inner West arrive at our Footscray and Seddon communities with a car packed with goodies for our residents.
Randa Beirouti and her team’s arrival is a much-anticipated weekly “market-style” event. Their delivery can include fresh vegies, frozen meat and fish, pantry staples, pet food, drinks or any goods kindly donated from various individuals and companies. Home comforts such as manchester and warm clothing, are also generously delivered on request.
For some of our residents the visit is their weekly “shop” and may be the only fresh food they eat all week. Residents share the grocery items so everyone has enough, even ensuring those who are unwell and can’t make it to the laden tables, get their share.
For Irena, Unison’s Housing Support Worker, the Reaching Out drops offs are a great way to connect with residents.
“The weekly Reaching Out visits have developed into a steady routine for myself and for the people who live in our community. It is something to look forward to. “
“I have residents help me set up the tables for the produce, which gives me time to have informal chats away from an appointment-style interaction, both with the helpers and residents in general.”
We are very grateful to Randa Beirouti and the Reaching Out team of volunteers who work tirelessly to support people in need.
As Irena stresses, “It is such a generous initiative that makes a huge difference to people’s health and wellbeing.”
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