Maronites on Mission food truck proves that a hearty feed can make all the difference to the homeless

ON A bitter Sydney night, bangers and mash are a godsend to Daniel Cotter, who’s been homeless for 15 years. He’s just one of hundreds of people the Maronites on a Mission help with their food van.

Charbel Azzi from Maronites on Mission is helped by Canterbury League Club volunteers to hand out food to the homeless in Woolloomooloo. Picture: Daniel Aarons

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ON A bitter Sydney night, bangers and mash are a godsend to Daniel Cotter.

Mr Cotter, 35, has been homeless for 15 years and a year ago he weighed just 60kg.

But since then he has visited Maronites on Mission’s weekly food van in Woolloomooloo and put on 20kg.

“The regularity of a meal makes all the difference,” Mr Cotter said.

“If you don’t have to worry about food you can concentrate on other things.”

Mr Cotter is just one of hundreds of homeless people that are helped by Maronites on a Mission — a supporter of this year’s Do Something Day.

Charles Charbel from Maronites on Mission chats to Daniel Cotter.

Do Something Day on July 19 is an initiative of NewsLocal newspapers, ClubsNSW and Do Something Near You to promote volunteering, highlight charity work and inspire random acts of kindness.

Since 2013, the Punchbowl charity Maronites on Mission has loaded up its van with 200 hot meals and transported them each week to six outreach centres across the city.

That’s 17,000 meals and conversations, says Charbel Azzi, one of the directors of Maronites on Mission.

“Our clients are beautiful people who, in many circumstances, are homeless due to severely unfortunate or unlucky circumstances,” Mr Azzi said.

“It’s not just about the food though, it’s about talking and companionship.”

Last Thursday’s hot meal was provided by Canterbury League Club — and cheers for the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs could be heard as the van pulled up to the waiting crowd.

Canterbury League Club has been a long-time supporter of Maronites on Mission, donating $165,000 in cash and in-kind support since 2013.

On the last Thursday of each month, the club provide food and six volunteers to help hand out the meals.

Canterbury League Club chairman Dr George Peponis said the club’s partnership with the Maronites had been one of the “highlights” of its community program.

“Homelessness affects almost 41 out of every 10,000 people,” Dr Peponis said.

“Winter time is especially difficult, so a warm and nutritiously balanced meal can really make a difference to someone’s night.”