“Hamlet hampers” bring tasty goods to Hobart’s vulnerable

A local charity and cafe is packaging and delivering care boxes of bread, pasta and essential goods to people in need.

A LOCAL charity and cafe is packaging and delivering care boxes of bread, pasta and essential goods to people in need.

Hamlet Cafe Hobart CEO Emily Briffa said new “Hamlet Hampers” were being prepared as social distancing measures were implemented on site.

“(Coronavirus) is leading to a huge stress for people,” she said. “Especially some of the most disadvantaged members of the community.”

She said Hamlet’s development program participants were now training and learning hospitality skills online.

(L-R) Isabel Casey and Emily Briffa of Hamlet Cafe with their Hamlet Hampers at Hobart. Picture Chris Kidd

She said the participants, many of whom had mental health conditions and disabilities, were often too anxious to enter supermarkets and struggled to access essentials.

“One of our boxes has bread, pasta, passata, milk, granola and jam to help someone out until they can feel more comfortable going into supermarkets,” she said.

“We’re trying to make sure we are getting through this, because in terms of the services we offer to Tasmanians facing barriers to employment, my feeling is that’s going to be needed even more as people in hospitality and tourism lose their jobs.”

She said an “underlying current” of fear was impacting everyone differently.

“All you can do in times like this is be kind to each other,” she said. “Sometimes it just takes a bit of a smile and a bit of a laugh to help someone who might be feeling anxious.”