By Jamie Salter
COOK4CALD is set to deliver nutritious meals to the wider community once again with the return of its Summer Program.
The non-profit organisation is aiming to reach as many people as possible over a five week period, from Sunday 6 March to Sunday 3 April.
COOK4CALD’s Summer Program, which involves 11 weeks of food delivery services, was suspended after six weeks on January 2 and president Ashvina De Zoysa said she was excited to kick start the program following the disappointing hiatus.
“It was actually really sad because we’d spent months planning for 11 straight weeks, and the reason we do the summer program is because that’s when our volunteers have the most time,” she said.
“It’s also when the culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) need our help the most in terms of mental health.
“People might have been feeling isolated over the holidays and international travel still wasn’t back, so people were stuck at home not being able to reconnect with their families after years.”
Although it has been a challenge to roster volunteers as they return to school and university, Ashvina has allocated 70 volunteers to work throughout the five week period.
“They’re doing this out of the goodness of their heart but I make sure it compliments their life,” she said.
“I’m hoping we get the same kind of reception from the public – we’re still pretty small, so word of mouth is the only way we get out there to provide meals.”
Available meals will include Sri Lankan Kothu Roti, Jamaican jerk chicken, Mediterranean Greek chicken balls, sweet and sour chicken with tomato rice, and chicken curry and rice.
To remain CovidSafe, COOK4CALD will continue its contactless home deliveries.
A list of suburbs within the delivery vicinity can be found on the COOK4CALD website, covering areas within the City of Casey, City of Greater Dandenong and even Monash Council.
The non-profit is calling for monetary donations to support its food delivery program.
“We’re coming back and were ready to support our community, but if anyone could donate that would be really helpful,” Ashvina said.
To donate or to sign up to the program, visit cook4cald.org/ or follow the COOK4CALD Facebook and Instagram pages.
