ORDER of Malta Members and Volunteers distributed more than 200 dental packs, put together by Toombul Family Dental, to people in need just in time for Christmas.
The Order’s volunteers distributed the packs through Emmanuel City Mission’s South Brisbane drop-in centre and Southport parish outreach centre Angel’s Kitchen.
Recipients were surprised and thankful when they opened the TFD Christmas packs, including high quality TePe oral health kits, feminine hygiene necessities, hand sanitiser and healthy, tasty snacks.
TFD owner Bella Verity, who mobilised staff, friends and donors to support ECM and OMV for Anzac Day and now Christmas, said she was never comfortable with social inequality.
“I struggle to sleep at night knowing I have a comfortable bed in a safe house and others barely have access to food and shelter,” she said.
“I lead a lot of young people under my care at TFD and feel a huge responsibility to be a good role model and nurture their social conscience.
“I remind my team all the time that homelessness could impact any of us, and nothing in life is permanent.
“We’re all only one misstep or crisis away from being in a similar situation and we need to show the same empathy and understanding that we’d hope for in a challenging situation.
“Through a family who visits my clinic, I know and trust that ECM and the Order of Malta are on the ground, helping people with their bare hands and heart, not 6 steps removed.
“I know help is going straight to where it’s needed most. They’re the kind of people and groups that I want to support.”
After distributing the packs, the volunteers met one man, who was seeking a shower at ECM’s drop-in centre and was delighted to discover new soap in his care pack.
“Thanks for thinking of us,” he said.
A new attendee at ECM ‘s drop-in centre Ellie also remarked on the “lovely Christmas bag design”.
The Order of Malta continues to serve during the 10pm-2am “midnight shift” of the ECM “Christmas Festival”, as the centre provides 24hr hospitality during the week leading into Christmas, a particularly vulnerable time for people experiencing isolation or hardship.
To support ECM https://emmanuelcitymission.com
To register your interest to join our #OMV_Australia team please visit: https://www.orderofmalta.org.au/i-want-to-help/volunteer/
