‘Ultimate loss’: How two Sydney sisters are channelling their pain into purpose

After the food truck she launched in memory of her late brother was tragically destroyed in an arson attack, a Western Sydney business owner is using her grief for good.

Eva Moubarak and her sister Jess are fundraising for homelessness, in memory of their late brother. Photo: Supplied

When Eva Moubarak woke to find her food truck in flames, it was “gut-wrenching” to lose the business she started in memory of her brother just weeks earlier.

“Losing my brother was the ultimate loss. Anything after that just doesn’t feel as painful as what we experienced in the past,” she said.

Police told Ms Moubarak her truck, Jamie’s Snack Bar, was deliberately set alight in Pendle Hill while she slept just metres away in the early hours of June 12.

“It wasn’t something we thought we’d experience in a million years”, she said.

Jamie's Food Truck was deliberately set alight, police said. Picture: Supplied

Jamie’s Snack Bar was created in memory of their late brother. Picture: Supplied

After an outpouring of community support, Eva and her sister Jess chose to direct thousands of dollars in donations towards caring for the homeless rather than rebuilding their business.

“I just wanted to channel all the energy into something positive,” Ms Moubarak said.

“When my brother was alive, he was such a generous and giving person that he had a really big soft spot for the homeless.

“Whenever he saw somebody on the street or somebody in need, he would literally empty his pockets.”

The sisters have so far raised more than $10,000 for Maronites on Mission. The pair are hoping to raise more money through an additional fundraiser on Saturday.

James Moubarak died late last year, with the sisters launching their business in May “to honour James’ legacy by spreading his energy, his love and his happiness”.

Ms Moubarak said fundraising had been a way for her to connect with her faith and with her brother rather than going “into victim mode”.

“Regardless of how hard a situation is, there’s always light at the end of the tunnel,” she said

“You just need to be courageous, or maybe bold enough to believe in it.”