Times may have been tough lately, but kindness has been radiating throughout the South Australian community.

Words Zoe Rice

Happiness packages

Katrina Zaslavsky, founder of Birth Goddess, has been delivering “happiness packages” to neighbours, with the help of her children, to build community spirit and brighten up people’s day.

What started as a small project over Easter from the “secret bunnies” has grown to more than 500 deliveries. “This project has had such an overwhelmingly positive response with so many touching notes, letters and gifts of thanks, with how it has made a difference,” Katrina says.

“We have been amazed at how a simple act of kindness can not only lift people’s spirits but make them feel less alone – especially the elderly, those that are struggling and others who have been unable to see their own grandchildren – and more connected to their community and we hope they will pay it forward to others.”

Feeding Adelaide’s homeless

After Adelaide restaurant Shōbōsho was forced to close due to coronavirus restrictions, chef Adam Liston and his team put a call out to help those most vulnerable in the community. Every day since the start of April, ingredients from the WestCare kitchen are delivered to the restaurant and Adam and his team apply their culinary skills.

Providing more than 150 takeaway meals each day has enabled Baptist Care SA to continue providing basic necessities to their clients, and also to the residents of their Homeless Respite Centre, with any spares being frozen for emergency relief.

Page turner

Over the Easter weekend, Adelaide charity Baptist Care SA received an email from local author Meredith Resce. She had boxes of beautifully printed novels that she thought may be useful to our clients, many of whom are experiencing homelessness.

Personally delivered to Wright Street in the city, around 100 of Meredith’s books are now on the shelves at Baptist Care SA’s Homeless Respite Centre, which provides interim accommodation and care for people leaving hospital with no safe place to call home.

Food delivery

At the end of March, Baptist Care SA received a generous offer from The Stamford Group. Like many other hotels, The Stamford Grand Adelaide was affected by the closures and cancellations resulting from COVID-19.

Rather than see their quality produce go to waste, they contacted Baptist Care SA to donate large quantities of food for the WestCare Centre kitchen and Community Food Hub which provide meals and food parcels to people in Adelaide doing it tough.

 

Have you experienced – or initiated – an act of kindness? Email [email protected].