Calvary Sandhill residents chip in to help the homeless

Untitled design - 2024-02-01T152516.563
Calvary Sandhill aged care residents baking up a storm for those less fortunate. [Source: Supplied]

For a year residents at Calvary Sandhill aged care home have been whipping up batches of choc-chip cookies and muffins and packaging them up for others experiencing homelessness.

Calvary Sandhill’s Leisure and Lifestyle Coordinator, Candace Harrington, said she approached residents after seeing a post from local homelessness charity, Strike It Out, on social media who needed help.

“I saw what they were doing for the community and that they needed a bit of help, so I asked some of the residents if they wanted to try it,” Ms Harrington said.

“They were super keen, and here we are a year on and they are still doing it.

“They all look forward to the cooking day – I think there would be trouble if I took it off the activity list!”

Resident Shirley O’Conner agreed and said it is wonderful to do something to help others in her community.

Untitled design - 2024-02-01T152416.157
Shirley and Ms Harrington on the tools! [Source: Supplied]

Now in her 90s and partially blind, Shirley looks forward to the activity, joining a production line of residents around the table each month sifting, adding ingredients and mixing. Cookies one month, muffins the next. 

About six or seven residents usually turn up to the baking endeavour, with everyone takes a turn at the different tasks, and once the goodies are baked and cooled, they are packaged up into individual bags for distribution.

“We all know each other, so we put our gloves on and have a lovely chat as we go. After a year we’ve become quite professional!” said Shirley. 

“We’re doing something for others, and it makes us feel wanted and have a purpose.”

Strike It Out provides homeless people with meals twice a week, and emergency supplies of basic essentials. They also deliver food packages for individuals and families. 

Manager of the service, Kirsten Ritchie, thanked residents for their support and said the baked goodies gave some welcome and delicious sustenance along with moments of joy for people less fortunate.

She said, “We believe no one should be left behind and these wonderful residents are helping us bring about positive change in people’s lives and creating feelings of self-worth.”

“Every little bit helps, and helping us makes a world of difference to those who need our services.”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Elderly Female Weightlifter Beats Up Home Intruder

The local gym in 2019 is a sea of well-groomed young men and women who look more interested in taking photos of themselves lifting weights, than actually breaking a real sweat.  In amongst all the fake tan, eyelash extensions, and designer training gear, you will occasionally find the rare strength athlete known as a ‘powerlifter’... Read More

Minister “personally committed” to changing aged care funding

  The Aged Care Minister has stated he is “personally committed” to a new model of aged care funding if the LNP government is returned this year. The Resource Utilisation and Classification Study (RUCS) is a new model of aged care funding being developed by the Australian Health Services Research Institute, which is part of... Read More

A Slice of History: Dieter Sacher’s Path from Vienna’s Iconic Hotel to Australian Shores

Journey through the captivating tale of Dieter Sacher, who grew up mesmerised by the Sachertorte at Vienna's Hotel Sacher. His dedication led him to become a renowned chef, and now, his story continues in Australia. Read More
Advertisement