The dire financial situation in which many families and individuals have found themselves during the COVID-19 crisis – especially those on temporary and student visas who lost jobs and are not entitled to any sort of government support – is an issue that Neos Kosmos has repeatedly brought forward.
Thankfully, in the recent days the Greek community has taken the lead in offering a helping hand to those in need.
Just last week, a group of Good Samaritans sent us an announcement about a voluntary initiative in distributing food products and other necessities to community members struggling amidst the pandemic.
The appeal, signed by Mr. Theo Giourtis, was calling for any food businesses or organised entities to come on board.
People able and willing to help, as well as those in need of assistance can contact the group on 0403 620 952 and 0424 716 025.
Equally heartwarming has been the response from several community associations, including the Pontiaki Estia, the Merimna of Pontial Ladies, the Cretan Federation of Australia and New Zealand and the Pallaconian Brotherhood of Melbourne & Victoria “Leonidas”.
Broadcaster Platon Denezakis, Merimna’s representative Litsa Athanasiadis, and Antonis Tsourdalakis from the Cretan Federation are among those participating in the community relief efforts, gathering essential goods and food products that have already started being dispensed.
Reiterating the very reason of why “Merimna” was set up, Ms Athanasiadis says:
“Knowing what agony and pain feels like, having learnt how to come out stronger from challenging situations, we cannot be indifferent to the struggles of fellow Greeks during these difficult times.”
Among other tasks, Ladies of Merimna have been busy baking endless trays of koulourakia, which are then sent out in gift boxes in the dozens to households in need.
Deliveries include canned and non-perishable goods, as well as basic grocery items, including cleaning products.
“We learnt though Neos Kosmos what fellow Greeks have been going through and we wanted to help,” Mr. Tsourdalakis says, extending the invitation to anyone willing to contribute to the effort.
The first deliveries have already been rolled out, with more batches of products and goods waiting to be distributed.
Community members or organisations can contact Ms Athanasiadis (0421 804 968) and Mr Tsourdalakis (0419 856 736) directly to join the initiative.
The same contact numbers are available for anyone in need of assistance. The donations are delivered in full confidentiality.