Helping ACT working hard to make Christmas special for everyone in Canberra

There were 200 packed food hampers and 150 wrapped toys, the event organised by charity Helping ACT, led by the indefatigable Mohammed Ali.

The toys will be given to children in time for Christmas via The Smith Family, St Vincent de Paul and participating Street Pantries as well as direct to the new Afghan families being cared for by Helping ACT.

Food hampers will be distributed to the homeless, refugees and asylum seekers, the new families and the street pantries.

There were 80 hampers delivered to the Early Morning Centre, run by UnitingCare Canberra City on Northbourne Avenue to give to those sleeping rough.

Helping on the day were Member for Fenner Andrew Leigh and local MLAs Tara Cheyne, Leanne Castley and James Milligan while Suzanne Orr gifted food items for the hampers.

Many other community members, including teenagers and children, gave up their morning to also help.

Mohammed Ali, a retired university lecturer and executive at the Therapeutic Goods Administration, now president of Helping ACT, is the ringmaster, keeping the troops motivated and delivering his lavish praise - and specially-made chicken biryani - on anyone who turns up to help.

He literally moves mountains to help the vulnerable in Canberra and the gift-wrapping, hamper-packing event was no different.

"I think it was just a very unique example that some 40 people from all walks of life and from different nationalities got together in the name of the humanity to help grassroots people or helpless people," he said.

"It sends a very noble message that anyone who is struggling is not alone in their plight and we are with them."

On Friday evening, Mohammed was out again, visiting five Afghan families who were settling into a new life in Canberra, after fleeing their country during the chaotic and terrifying fall of Kabul.

Many could only bring a small suitcase. Mohammed on Friday was trying to find many of them summer shoes. Most had only hot sneakers or boots.

"Just imagine your whole life is changing, your culture is changing, your country is changing and there's no looking back," he said.

"They found themselves here completely helpless."

Helping ACT buys all the food and toys from donations and any grants received during the year.

Mohammed said from August, $24,000 worth of food had been distributed to those in need in Canberra - as much as was given out for all of 2020. "The demand is so high," he said.

Helping ACT was called on often to provide food to the doorstep of people in COVID quarantine and lockdown.

"It was heartbreaking for the whole of the executive committee and the volunteers to see what was going around," he said.

"But we are so proud that all families who were referred to us, we actually delivered to their doorstep.

"This was a special year that we certainly don't want to repeat in our lives because of the COVID disaster but we are proud as volunteers we met the expectations of everyone referring cases to us.

"The spirit was as far as food was concerned, 'Yes, we must deliver'. One of our mottos is 'No one sleeps hungry'.

"And we are so, so thankful to our donors. Someone asked me, 'Who are your donors?' and I answer, 'The whole of Canberra is our donor'."

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