Barbara Atkins gets the pleasure of seeing people's faces light up when she hands them much-needed food and perishable packs.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But she's adamant the real heroes of the day are local businesses in the Illawarra's northern suburbs who go above and beyond to provide food for the hungry and other essentials to the needy.
There's always been a need for charities to support those struggling in the community, especially during the so-called festive season.
"Add COVID and the associated lockdowns to the mix, and this need has been even greater in the last year and a half," Mrs Atkins said.
"But amazingly this community doesn't give up on those doing it tough. The support, especially from local businesses in the Thirroul, Bulli and Woonona areas has been something special."
She was especially grateful to Blackbird Thirroul owner Chris Henry, Jason Gao from Jolly Roger Seafood and Thirroul Fruit Barn owner Elie Alachkar.
"I'd say Blackbird Thirroul have provided a minimum 1000 meals this year alone to give to the needy," Mrs Atkins said.
"Thirroul Fruit Barn have also always put up their hand to support the needy while Jason from Jolly Roger Seafood really stepped up on Christmas Eve.
"Without Jason's help hundreds of people would have gone hungry on Christmas Day."
Blackbird Thirroul owner Chris Henry said his cafe had been working with Need a Feed and Mrs Atkins for many years.
"Barbara was originally with Need a Feed who also helped ladies out of domestic violence situations and emergency housing ... we were affiliated with them for some time," he said.
"We started up as a collection point at the cafe for non-perishables and sanitary items. Pretty much whatever they needed, we got.
"They'd basically give us a list of what they were needing, we'd put it through our social media and get it donated directly to the cafe.
"During the second lockdown they lost the ability to host community dinners in one of the community halls, where families could basically come and get free meals. During the lockdown we took over the responsibility to cook the meals so they could hand deliver them.
"I was donating all the time and the kitchen facilities and packaging."
Soon enough Mr Henry also brought in other suppliers to donate meat, fruit and vegetables as well as salmon.
"We just kind of worked with other groups to ensure we could keep those meals going," he said.
"This week we've arranged with Thirroul Fruit Barn again and Illawarra Premium Food and Beverages to donate fruit and veg boxes and milk, which Barbara has packaged up.
"She primarily goes out and delivers it and makes sure it gets to the right people.
"Our job really is to do whatever we can to help."
The Illawarra Mercury newsroom is funded by our readers. You can subscribe to support our journalism here.
Sign up for breaking news emails below ...
Agron Latifi
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
