HELPING HANDS THATS MELTING HEARTS

 

Living on the streets is tough without food, water, clothing and a home.  And gets tougher when in winter.  Though strangers, communities and charities extend their help, yet a lot more  is needed to get the homeless people through their most difficult time of isolation  It is in this context that Saint Peter the Apostle Church in Inglewood, Perth, has emerged as a watchtower of hope.

Every first Saturday of the month, Saint Peter’s hosts at its Parish Hall an elaborate hot meal; complete with soft drinks, dinner, dessert, tea, coffee, milk and biscuits.  Such is the organising standard that its select 12-18 homeless persons travel by public transport from the inner city and the distant suburbs to the venue for a taste of warmth and for the comfort of companionship.

According to event coordinator and former school teacher Angela Bird, “We are a What App group of around 20 adult volunteers who, a week in advance, begin planning our mixed ethnic menu.  It comprises a minimum of 10 homemade savoury dishes and six homemade desserts – dietary-compliant. We spend two hours to set up the tables, chairs, tablecloths, crockery, cutlery, music and bar at the start of the event.  And at the end of the event, we spend two hours to pack up the props, to box the leftovers in takeaway containers (which is distributed amongst our homeless guests) and to clean the dishes and tidy the place.”

The adult volunteers, who hail from different industries – hospitality, education, health, police, have built relationships with the homeless guests and have evinced good behaviours from each.  This dinner experience…Not only has transformed the homeless guests…But also the 10-20 teenage volunteers from the nearby local Catholic high schools who dedicate their “care hours” to shop for groceries, stand at the buffet tables, help serve the meals and walk around the sit-down tables offering second helpings.  Their involvement has impacted everybody; particularly the youth themselves.  “We are thankful for what we have in abundance when we see those who do not have it in the least.” express 16-year-olds Andrew and Cody.

At its June event, the organisers had on display winter jackets for those needing warm clothing including a mini cake to celebrate a shy homeless and accomplished pianist’s birthday.   Come December and April, respectively, Christmas and Easter is celebrated with gift packs for each homeless guest.  Declare Doug and Dave “We enter Saint Peter’s feeling welcome-safe-comfortable and we leave with a sense of belonging;”

What began in 2018 as a stand-up sausage-sizzle treat on the Church veranda with six homeless persons then is now a sit-down nutritious meal in the swanky parish hall attended by around 18 homeless persons.  Angela and her band of volunteers are keen to heighten this experience by way of installing bain maries (food warmers) to keep hot the meals and include young families in need of a feed.  Sadly, they have had to defer this thought for want of funds.  “Our generous Beford Community and Surrounds has surprised us in the past by way of unexpected pantry donations.  We are hopeful of receiving financial resources and additional volunteers to boost our commitment to extend hope to our homeless.”

Run under the auspices of the Holy Spirit Choir and Street Ministry, this not-for-profit organisation was founded and is chaired by Yayoi (Rebecca) Kobayashi.  Every Monday, Rebecca and her team comprising Sr Rosemary Vedalago, Chris D’Silva and Dan Hewitt visit the city centre, meet-greet-eat with the homeless after a faith-sharing session with them.  They visit hospitals and prisons too to invite their “street friends” to join their homeless guests for dinner and to experience the atmosphere that prevails at Saint Peter’s.  Statements like “This is the best that I have eaten and the only one that I have had today,” goads Rebecca, Angela and their teams to keep alive the spirit of companionship and at bay the dread of isolation.

SOPHIE MENEZES