Be Kind Sydney has spent most of this year supporting and serving Ukrainian families in dire need, with more than 1,000 Ukrainians arriving in New South Wales since the war broke out.
The charitable organisation has created funding programs to support families in crisis and displaced Ukrainians seeking refuge in Sydney by working with the Australian-Ukrainian community and the Ukrainian Council of New South Wales (UCNSW). One of those vital funding initiatives is the Be Kind Sydney Annual Appeal.
The Be Kind Sydney’s Annual Appeal is designed to respond where there is an urgent and local need. Right now, displaced Ukrainian families need help and support in the long and short term.
At Harris Farm, we have partnered with Be Kind Sydney to help feed Ukrainian families in dire need.
Every week for eight weeks, Harris Farm has committed to delivering large quantities of fruit and veg to the donation hub, which is open for displaced Ukrainians every Saturday in Lidcombe and is run by the Blue Peony Foundation. The food is dropped off at Lidcombe because that is where the Ukrainian Sydney community has been based for over 70 years. The Ukrainian Youth Association has a hall that has thrown open its doors to meet and greet displaced Ukrainians every Saturday morning for the last four months.
These fresh fruit and veg donations provide a sense of nourishment, safety, and security – feelings many of these families have not felt in a long time – and we are grateful to have partnered with an organisation that believes in the Greater Goodness just as we do at Harris Farm.
“Offering food security for these newly arrived families, who have left behind so much, is so important. Many Australians are feeling the pinch of rising grocery costs right now. Still, most of us can’t imagine what it is like to really struggle to feed our families, let alone experience the trauma of fleeing our home country because of conflict. It is a beautiful act of generosity by Harris Farm, and just one example of how the Sydney community is pulling together to be kind to its most vulnerable people,” stated Sydney Community Foundation CEO Loredana Fyffe.
We encourage you to support the Ukrainian Helping Hand Project, a fundraising initiative to fund much-needed housing and rental assistance, establishing bank accounts, mobile phone access, childcare support, and other essential services.
Be Kind Sydney is also raising emergency cash assistance to supplement government funding. Many families have arrived with very little. Cash assistance will help them pay for mandatory visa medicals, accommodation, and other essentials.
If you would like to help support the Ukrainian Helping Hand Project and keep up with Be Kind Sydney's fantastic work, please click here: https://ukrainian-helping-hand-project.raisely.com/.
