Soup Kitchen Set Up in Sydney
In February 2022, headed up by Ricaredo Del Costa (Sydney HOPE Rep), volunteers from the Sydney Church of Christ set up a Soup Kitchen to meet the needs of the vulnerable in Telopea, a western suburb of Sydney. HOPE worldwide Australia hires the Community Centre for a few hours on a Sunday night and on average 40 meals are prepared and served to the members of the community who attend.
The Sunday night mealtimes have an encouraging atmosphere- great food, light conversation and friendly service. Some of the regular volunteers are getting to know the community better, for example Emman, who is studying finance and banking at the university of Sydney and commits to serving weekly and is building trust through service and kind words. People from the community have also started to contribute, like Karin, who brought herbs from her back garden the other week.
The community response has been very positive: “We are very grateful” someone commented, “that there’s something happening like this in our area”. Towards the end of the meal serving times, volunteers put together between 30 to 50 packs of food that can be taken home to feed some of the family members (mainly children) who were not able to attend.
Thanks Sydney church for your service and caring hearts!
The Sunday night mealtimes have an encouraging atmosphere- great food, light conversation and friendly service. Some of the regular volunteers are getting to know the community better, for example Emman, who is studying finance and banking at the university of Sydney and commits to serving weekly and is building trust through service and kind words. People from the community have also started to contribute, like Karin, who brought herbs from her back garden the other week.
The community response has been very positive: “We are very grateful” someone commented, “that there’s something happening like this in our area”. Towards the end of the meal serving times, volunteers put together between 30 to 50 packs of food that can be taken home to feed some of the family members (mainly children) who were not able to attend.
Thanks Sydney church for your service and caring hearts!
Pray for Peace in Ukraine
UPDATE- March 14th 2022
Dear Friends,
The response from around the globe supporting Ukrainians (and Russians) adversely affected by the current conflict has been tremendous. In addition to donations, thousands of people across Europe have opened up hearts and homes to take care of those displaced by war. Well over 2 million Ukrainians are now in neighbouring countries and more are on the way despite the danger of travel to the borders during active fighting and shelling.
HOPE worldwide is on the ground assisting refugees and working with European HOPE members and the Churches of Christ to house people. In addition, 2 plane loads of food, medicines and other essentials have been secured and are in the process being transported to those in most need. For more information see: https://www.hopeww.org/ukrainerelieff
Funds collected through the HOPE worldwide Australia are being held in wait for use when other funds have been depleted. The relief effort is likely to run into months if not years, so the funds are genuinely needed and likely to be exhausted.
In addition to making a donation, if you are of a spiritual mind, feel free to please us in a day of prayer (and fasting) for peace in Ukraine.
Mark Timlin, Country Director, HOPEworldwide Australia.
https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/hopeworldwide
https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/disciplestoday
Dear Friends,
The response from around the globe supporting Ukrainians (and Russians) adversely affected by the current conflict has been tremendous. In addition to donations, thousands of people across Europe have opened up hearts and homes to take care of those displaced by war. Well over 2 million Ukrainians are now in neighbouring countries and more are on the way despite the danger of travel to the borders during active fighting and shelling.
HOPE worldwide is on the ground assisting refugees and working with European HOPE members and the Churches of Christ to house people. In addition, 2 plane loads of food, medicines and other essentials have been secured and are in the process being transported to those in most need. For more information see: https://www.hopeww.org/ukrainerelieff
Funds collected through the HOPE worldwide Australia are being held in wait for use when other funds have been depleted. The relief effort is likely to run into months if not years, so the funds are genuinely needed and likely to be exhausted.
In addition to making a donation, if you are of a spiritual mind, feel free to please us in a day of prayer (and fasting) for peace in Ukraine.
Mark Timlin, Country Director, HOPEworldwide Australia.
https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/hopeworldwide
https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/disciplestoday
UKRAINE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS
UPDATE 7th MARCH 2022
- Situation/Progress
- Active military conflict in Ukraine: destruction of homes and schools and disruption of basic services in numerous cities; people living in danger and mass evacuation of women and children to neighbouring countries (more than 1.5 million refugees). Families from the northern and central areas of Ukraine are evacuating largely through Poland and Hungary.
- Disaster response director: Arrived in Chisinau, Moldova Friday 4th March 7 20222. Headquarters for HOPE Relief effort. Currently a safe location.
- Volunteers and Church of Christ members currently in Ukraine: 2,000 (500 have evacuated).
- Needs/Programs:
- Food, water, healthcare and shelter for tens of thousands of people in Ukraine affected by war. In addition to support for 1.5 million refugees entering European countries.
- Food security within Ukraine: a food voucher program is currently funded for 1,000 people in Odessa, Southern Ukraine. Work is ongoing with Northern and Central Ukraine Food Distributor for a similar program for Kyiv and Kharkiv. Seeking funding from ‘Feed the Children’.
- Water. Donation of 200 Water Filters arrived in Moldova 4th March, to be deployed into Odessa. HOPEww Hungary is planning to move up to 2000 water filters to Ukraine.
- Psychosocial Support in Ukraine: using a $20,000 donation. Program managed by HOPEww Canada
- Essential medicines and medical supplies: Coordinating with Ukrainian Government for bulk medicine shipments from AmeriCares, Direct Relief and Heart to Heart.
- Shelter for Refugees: hotel secured in Moldova, capacity of 150. Currently housing 104 people.
- Relocation of refugees to other countries: HOPEww Berlin is coordinating all housing available with families throughout Europe that are evacuating
- Donated funds will support the above needs
- Donations can be made online: https://www.givenow.com.au/ukraine