Thanks a Million: Priscilla Liem’s gift of hope helps families during pandemic
Priscilla Liem has gone above and beyond to help those struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the local church operations manager launching a volunteer food program to help families and the elderly. She is now nominated for the Thanks a Million campaign.
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In a crisis, the people who cope best are those who help others.
That’s the view of Priscilla Liem, who leapt into action to serve her parish community after the pandemic had caused job losses and food shortages.
As operations manager for Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Fairfield, Ms Liem launched a volunteer food program to help families and seniors facing financial struggles.
“Church services and weddings were suddenly postponed or cancelled and many people were afraid to leave their homes,” the 40-year-old said.
“We set aside some funding and asked the community to donate money so we could spend on food.”
Since April, teams of volunteers have packed boxes of food containing rice, pasta, spam, tuna and chocolate to distribute to the homes of struggling residents.
Ms Liem said she has helped to support nearly 50 families who were nominated by the faculty at Our Lady of The Rosary Catholic Primary School and Mary MacKillop Catholic College in Wakeley.
The program has also been a partnership with Vinnies and has received support through St Vincent’s Health Care.
“It’s important to help others in need,” Ms Liem said. “It could be supporting a local business, helping out your neighbour or just doing shopping for somebody.
“It’s a gift to give a gift to someone in your community.”
Ms Liem has been nominated for News Corp Australia’s Thanks A Million campaign, which honours those who have put their safety and lives on the line during the pandemic.
You can also nominate someone who has helped their community during this difficult time at thanksamillion.net.au