On Monday, The Hellenic Initiative Australia (THI) announced two new grants totalling $110,00 for Greek charities, $66,000 to Boroume Saving Food Saving Lives and $44,000 to Emfasis Foundation.
According to THI Australia, the grants have been made possible through the support of Greek-Australian and Philhellene communities.
Boroume and Emfasis Foundation address food insecurity, providing basic necessities and assistance with temporary and permanent accommodation and employment for vulnerable and isolated people in Greece.
Boroume will continue coordinating food collection by local and international volunteers at markets in Athens and Thessaloniki for donations to local charities and other beneficiaries through its Farmer’s Market Program.
From August 2022 to July 2023, 199.2 tonnes of fresh produce were collected by Boroume and distributed to 39 charities in Athens and Thessaloniki.
“This program is more than just the saving and repurposing of fresh produce; more than 1 million kg of CO2 was not released into the atmosphere through the food being repurposed and saved.
“That’s the equivalent of more than 18,000 trips from Athens to Thessaloniki by a conventional car or the positive impact of almost 6,000 adult trees’, said THI Australia’s CEO, Stergitsa Zamagias-Hill.
Since 2015, THI Australia’s support of the Farmer’s Market Program has collected 970 tonnes of fresh produce. Additionally, over 100 Australians generously volunteered for this program in Greece.
Emfasis Foundation supports vulnerable individuals who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or facing severe survival challenges and social exclusion through their Mobile Support Unit (MSU).
The grant will help to broaden its reach beyond the Attica region to include Patras, Thessaloniki, Volos, Crete and Rhodes.
Ms Zamagias-Hill congratulated Emfasis for expanding its services beyond the Attica region and for “its willingness to share its expertise with local, not-for-profit organisations in other parts of Greece.” said
THI Australia’s support of the MSU has significantly impacted, with 2,708 vulnerable individuals benefitting from these services between 2022 and 2023.
“Despite improvements in Greece and the successful tourism season, too many families are still living on or near the poverty line in Greece and still need our support,” said Ms Zamagias-Hill.
Suppose readers want to donate to one of these partner charities, they can do so through The Hellenic Initiative Australia’s secure online platform.
All donations of $2 or more are tax-deductible in Australia.
