The Hellenic Initiative (THI) Australia has announced two new recipients of its Winter Appeal grants totalling €31,000 (nearly $50,000 Australian), the Greek charities Together for Children and Wise Greece.

THI Australian president Nicholas Pappas AM welcomed the new partner charities which join the eight other Greek charities that are supported by his organisation.

“We are proud that these grants will directly address the needs of people facing food insecurity during the COVID-19 lockdowns in Greece,” said Mr Pappas.

The not-for-profit organisation, Together for Children, which was launched in 1996 received a grant of €15,000  to provide €50 of supermarket vouchers each month in to 50 families in need over a period of six months. Together for Children will also provide support through a social worker and its Counselling Helpline.

The other organisation, Wise Greece, will receive €16,000 to support hundreds of disadvantaged people across Greece with 1,000 Hope Boxes that collectively contain up to 6 tonnes of food that will distributed by three regional charities: Aspres Petaloudes in Volos, the Konstantio Elderly Care Unit in Kavala and Kivotos to Kosmou for children in Athens, Epirus, Kalamata and Chios. Wise Greece was set up in 2013.

The Hope Boxes will help more than 100 small food producers in Greece who have faced severe economic difficulties because of the pandemic.

READ MORE: THI Australia donates $50,000 to help key charities in Greece

Melina Taprantzi, the founder of Wise Greece thanked THI Australia for its contribution.

“You are enabling small family-owned businesses to continue their work with the same love and energy despite the difficulties of the pandemic,” said Ms Taprantzi.

THI Australia raised the money for the grants thanks to is fund drive in November and December, last year.

In January, the organisation gave additional funding worth $50,000 to Doctors of the World Greece and Emfasis Foundation. Doctors of the World has distributed more than 200 food parcels in the Attica region and distributed 1,000 hot meals and 500 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits to homeless people.

Thanks to the Winter Appeal grant, the Emfasis Foundation was able to expand its services during the harsh winter conditions in Greece in January and February.

Mr Pappas said THI Australia was grateful to the hundreds of donors in Australia who had made the grants possible.

“Without them we could do nothing. But with their support, we were able to help may people facing hardship in Greece and who otherwise might not find the help they need.”