SIKH VOLUNTEERS AUSTRALIA
When they aren’t travelling the country feeding people affected by fires and floods, Sikh Volunteers Australia serve up meals to their community in Melbourne’s south-east.
The charity was started by Jaswinder Singh and his friends in 2014 as a way to say thank you to their adopted home.
“We are a migrant community – we came into this country and enjoyed all the freedom and facilities in abundance, and we wanted to give back to the community we are living in,” Jaswinder, 38, tells Woman’s Day.
Each week a group of 50 dedicated volunteers clean, prep, cook and serve food packs to the community from their iconic white Toyota vans.
Known for arriving at the sites of natural disasters often just hours after they occur, they recently supported victims of the Lismore floods in March and 2020’s bushfires.
The organisation is now seeing an increase in demand for meals due to the rising cost of living.
“It’s emotional when we listen to people’s stories and why they need the support,” says Jaswinder.
“There are some challenges involved but with determination, humbleness and love, anything can be overcome.” Donations can be made at sikhvolunteersaustralia.org/ donation