Forging a path to food security

OVER the past 12 months, Pathways – an organisation which provides peer support to those looking to transition away from Orthodoxy or Ultra-Orthodoxy – has been working with food charities to help those in the community who are doing it tough.

The team has reported a 20 per cent increase in requests over the last year during ongoing lockdown periods, with single mothers, large families, empty nester couples and older singles; ranging from those who have just started to move away from, or question, their religious lifestyle or those who left long ago, all needing assistance.

In response to the increasing number of food support requests, Pathways has acted as a conduit for the supply of essentials through the generosity of our community’s food organisations, including Mazon Australia and Our Village Kitchen, as well as Souper Kitchen, C Care, and The Soup Angel. With their help, the organisation has been able to pass on grocery vouchers, nutritious meals, soup-making packs, fresh food and pantry boxes, and even special Rosh Hashanah boxes in recent weeks. The service is 100 per cent confidential.

For any issues relating to food, or if you would like to volunteer, please email Pathways’ Food Liaison Officer Eva Gross at eva@pathwaysmelbourne.org