On a Friday afternoon, the rich aroma of cardamom and cumin filled the Hall at St John’s Care. In the kitchen, volunteers from the Sri Lankan Association of Canberra (ALSA ACT) bustled about—cooking, stirring, and washing up. Others served heaping plates of chicken, rice, lentils and beans to families and individuals from the community.
For 14 years, ALSA ACT has partnered with St John’s Care to provide a meal for locals experiencing difficultly—and it is always a bright spot on the calendar. While the team has fine-tuned their process over the years, and every member knows their role like clockwork, their smiles haven’t faded, nor have the flavours in their dishes.
Savi Lecamwasam, who runs a senior’s group at ALSA ACT, collects donations of spices and food from members to prepare for the day. “I am Buddhist and we believe in helping others”, she explained. “That’s why we do this.”
For community member Mei*, being served a warm meal with a warm smile is a moment of respite. Mei has been the full-time carer for her husband since he suffered a stroke over 20 years ago. Unable to leave him for long, and struggling with an extremely tight budget, dining out is not an option for Mei. At home she is responsible for every meal, every day… and for all the washing up.
That made the free, community lunch—which included a desert of ice cream and mango sauce— even sweeter. Dessert also featured exquisitely decorated cupcakes, lovingly made and donated by a talented ALSA ACT member.
Adding to the spirit of the day, students from the senior school at Radford College joined in to help serve meals and chat with guests. One student even played the piano, enhancing the atmosphere with gentle, welcoming music.
St John’s Care hosts community lunches like this on the first Friday of every month, giving participants like Mei so much more than a meal. Other Anglicare Community Hubs like the one in Gordon, ACT and Ashmont, NSW do the same. These events foster connection, belonging and a sense of dignity for those facing financial distress or social isolation.
Anglicare partners with St John’s Care in delivering emergency relief services across Canberra and we were honoured to take part in this special lunch— sharing delicious food and excellent company.
We would like to thank ALSA ACT for their generosity, commitment and community spirit.
Visit our Emergency Food Relief page or Mission & Community Engagement page for details on our services, or call 02 6245 7100 to learn how you or your group could get involved.
