Many have been excluded from government financial payments during the Covid-19 pandemic and are now struggling to pay for food, rent and basic needs.
However, Canterbury Bankstown Council “will do all it can” to help, including making $100,000 available for the purchase of food vouchers to be provided by the Emergency Relief Network.
The Network – a group of community groups providing relief and support for those facing financial distress or hardship – is a major food hamper provider and has been severely impacted with volunteers unable to collect and pack grocery items.
Canterbury Bankstown Mayor Khal Asfour said imagine being in another country, with no money, no Government or family support and no job – not because you are unwilling to work but because of health restrictions which don’t allow you.
“I can’t imagine being in that situation but sadly, there are many in our City that are in this dire predicament,” he said.
“Many were employed in retail, hospitality and construction sectors … now nothing.
“These people need a helping hand and putting food on the table is a priority. These food vouchers will go some way to helping them survive and feed themselves.”
The council will also write to the Prime Minister “urging him to show compassion and extend the Covid support payments to include these vulnerable people” as well as to the State Government requesting it reimburse the council with the $20m it has already spent on Covid relief since March 2020.
It has also set aside $300,000 in recovery grants to be for Covid support to not for profit groups over the coming months.
