Refugees and People Seeking Protection in Australia have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many have lost their jobs and, with no access to JobKeeper or JobSeeker, are struggling to feed their families. Refugees have continued to struggle and did not benefit from any of the COVID-19 recovery strategies.
RELATED: Walking with refugees in the Diocese of Parramatta: Refugee Week and beyond.
RELATED: Walking with refugees
In the Diocese of Parramatta, Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) and the House of Welcome (HoW) provide food for 1300 refugees each week. It is easy to support their mission by running a Food and Toiletries Drive in your parish, school or organisation. The Diocesan Food Drive Roster helps these two agencies and you to facilitate your support and secure a steady and reliable flow of food and hygiene products to JRS and HoW all year round!
Simply sign up for the roster, pick a delivery date and start promoting a food drive in your community. Feel free to use the resources on parracatholic.org/diocesanfooddrive. The roster is flexible and logistic, promotional and transport support can be provided.
Due to the current lockdown, Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) and the House of Welcome (HoW) cannot receive physical food and toiletry donations. However, many Refugee families are still relying on their foodbanks or the provision of food vouchers.
In this difficult time, please support JRS and HoW with a cash donation if you can. Click here for your options to donate.
Please continue to sign up on the Diocesan Food Drive Roster for the last quarter of 2021.
“ALMOST EIGHTEEN MONTHS ON FROM THE START OF THE PANDEMIC, FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS ARE STILL IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE WITH FOOD AND OTHER NECESSITIES, AS THOSE WHO LOST JOBS STRUGGLE TO FIND EMPLOYMENT IN A DIFFICULT LABOUR MARKET AND REMAIN EXCLUDED FROM FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORTS. JRS AUSTRALIA IS INSPIRED BY THE CONTINUOUS GENEROSITY OF CATHOLIC COMMUNITIES WHO CONTINUE TO WALK WITH REFUGEES AND PEOPLE SEEKING ASYLUM, AND WE HUMBLY ASK YOU TO CONTINUE IN THIS MISSION.” – JESUIT REFUGEE SERVICE (JRS)
Just like the loaves and fishes in the Gospels, we can all make a difference, one parish, school or organisation at a time.
Find more information about Food and Toiletry Drives at parracatholic.org/diocesanfooddrive or contact Jesuit Refugee Service or House of Welcome.
Sebastian Salaske-Lentern is the Peace, Justice and Ecology Coordinator of the Diocese of Parramatta.
This article highlights a story from the “Diocesan Journey… Walking with Refugees and People Seeking Protection”. Click here to learn more about this initiative and to follow our 14-weeks campaign from Refugee Week to World Day of Migrants and Refugees.
