Food drives in the Diocese of Parramatta
Food drives feed people who have nowhere else to go
There are people in our community who have fled their own country in fear for their lives. While they apply for refugee status in Australia they cannot work or receive government assistance. Charities and donations are often the only way they can get by.
Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) in Parramatta and the House of Welcome (HoW) in Granville provide a foodbank of essentials for refugees and people in Western Sydney who seek safety in Australia.
These two amazing organisations rely on donations to keep this service going.
By organising a food drive in your school or parish community, you can help the people in our community who have nowhere else to turn.
Your school or parish can make a big difference
A food drive in your parish or school can stock the shelves of the food donation services of JRS and HOW. Each week, hundreds of families rely on coming to these services and collecting basics like rice, lentils, vegetable oil and breakfast cereals. Food you donate goes directly to these families.
How it works
- Set a day or a week for your food drive.
- Advertise it in your newsletter and on social media
- Call the Diocese of Parramatta for delivery instructions
- Collect the donations
- Deliver the goods to JRS or HOW.
What happens next?
House of Welcome and Jesuit Refugee Service stock their pantries with your donated food. Families visit and collect what they need.
Often it is the main source of food for the family.
What’s Needed?
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Cooking Oil
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Basmati rice
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Flour/Sugar
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Long life (UHT) milk
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Canned Tomatoes/Chick Peas/Lentils
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Canned fruit
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Tinned fish (tuna in oil)
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Instant noodles
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Tea & Coffee
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Cooking Spices
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Jams & Honey
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Breakfast cereal
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Biscuits (savoury and sweet)
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Toilet paper and toiletries
Watch our video to find out more, and to hear Bishop Vincent’s message to look after others
As it says in Micah: “He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God.”
Jesuit Refugee Service
JRS accompanies, serves and advocates for refugees and people seeking asylum and other forcibly displaced people in our own country. These people face destitution, limbo and homelessness as Government policy grows increasingly unwelcoming and punitive. We offer dignity and hope through emergency assistance, temporary shelter, a foodbank, professional casework, community activities, employment support, school engagement, legal advice, targeted advocacy, and a project to empower women seeking asylum.
To discuss your food drive donation please call (02) 9098 9336 or email: foodbank@jrs.org.au or zoe.grant@jrs.org.au
Diocesan Journey Walking with Refugees and People Seeking Protection
Since August 2017, the Diocese of Parramatta, led by MET – Peace, Justice, Ecology, in conjunction with CatholicCare, Jesuit Refugee Service, House of Welcome, St Vincent de Paul Society, Community Migrant Resource Centre, and the Sydney Alliance, has been undertaking a Diocesan Journey: Walking with Refugees and People Seeking Protection. The journey responds to Bishop Vincent’s invitation to Catholic communities to respond to their plight of people seeking protection with understanding and compassion.
For more information and ways to get involved, please contact PJE Facilitator James at James.Atanasious@parracatholic.org
