The Hellenic Initiative Australia announced it had awarded Winter Appeal grants totalling €31,000 (almost AU$50,000) to two Greek charities, Together for Children and Wise Greece.
THI Australia President, Nicholas Pappas AM, said he welcomed the two new partner charities which join a stable of eight other Greek charities already supported by THI: “We are proud that these grants will directly address the needs of people facing food insecurity during the COVID-19 lockdowns in Greece.”
- A grant of €15,000 to Together for Children, will provide immediate relief to children and their families by providing 50 eligible family members with €50 monthly supermarket vouchers for six months. Beneficiaries will also be able to seek the support of a social worker and the Counselling Helpline provided by Together for Children.
- A grant of €16,000 to Wise Greece, will support hundreds of disadvantaged people across Greece with the provision of 1,000 Hope Boxes, containing 6 tonnes of food items, that will be distributed by three charities with a regional presence – Aspres Petaloudes in Volos, Konstantio Elderly Care Unit in Kavala, and Kivotos tou Kosmou homes for children in Athens, Epirus, Kalamata and Chios. The Hope Boxes will also help more than 100 small Greek food producers that are also facing severe economic strain due to the COVID pandemic.
"We are excited to be partnering with THI Australia to make sure we can provide the necessary support to many families, including those who for the first time had to ask for help as they have not been able to provide the basic needs for their children during COVID-19," said Ms Alexandra Martinou, President, Together for Children
On her part, Ms Melina Taprantzi, Founder, Wise Greece, expressed her deep gratitude for the trust THI Australia has displayed in supporting both the non-profit and social mission of Wise Greece. “You are enabling small family-owned businesses to continue their work with the same love and energy despite the difficulties of the pandemic,” she said.
The support for the two new charities in Greece has been made possible because of the successful THI Australia ‘Winter Appeal’ conducted between November and December 2020.
In January this year, THI Australia was also able to provide additional funding of $50,000 to Doctors of the World Greece and Emfasis Foundation. Both organisations are providing invaluable support to people facing severe financial and social challenges during COVID-19 in Greece.
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