Food donated to COVID-19 staff at The Alfred

The local branch of a multinational charity has gone out of its way to support frontline COVID-19 workers at The Alfred by donating more than 200 boxes of food and coffees.

Spearheaded by branch president Mary Calombaris and her officers, the Hawthorn-based Athena Unit No. 2 of the Australasian Hellenic Educational Progressive Association rapidly gathered supplies and funds to pack 220 boxes of long-life food and buy coffees for The Alfred staff at the forefront of COVID-19.

“We wanted to show our heartfelt appreciation for the dedicated and extraordinary effort by the nurses and doctors who are taking care of the many unfortunate people who have contracted the COVID-19 crisis,” Mary said.

Peter Mercoulias, the State President of the association, said all members of the association were very appreciative and thankful for the frontline workers saving many lives and keeping the community safe.

“All we were going to do was put some snacks on the table in the tea room, and it just blossomed from there,” he said. “I’m sure it hasn’t been easy. It would’ve been very hard for anyone working these long hours the past couple of years.

“I’m absolutely rapt that we were able to do something. It’s been a pleasure for all of us.”

Some of the food donated to COVID-19 frontline staff at The Alfred by AHEPA.

Matthew Deneen, The Alfred Infectious Diseases Clinical Services Director, said that donations such as this and the community reaching out to COVID teams throughout the pandemic was “profound and incredibly appreciated by the team”.

“Every time it happens, it comes as a little bit of a surprise,” he said. “These donations benefit and are appreciated by not just those staff who work within the walls of the COVID ward, but also those who support our COVID response from outside the ward such as the Red Transfer team, ward support and our COVID ward security team.”

Melissa Reid, the Deputy Director of Operations and Nursing for Home, Acute and Community, added that two years into the pandemic, it was “overwhelming to have the continued support from the community for our frontline staff”.

This donation to The Alfred is part of the association’s continuous food packages donations campaign to many people and families who have been affected by the pandemic during the past couple of years.

Mary also wanted to thank the other officers of her branch for their effort with the shopping and packing, including Despina Sapoutzis, Sophie Marcoulia, Tasia Manos, Loula Papakosta, Pantelis Armaos and Elias Doufas for his assistance and advice.