By Katrina Knight, Director of GAPP, Bulletin 7/2024, September
GAPP has been supporting those in need in Glebe and the surrounding suburbs for 20 years. We are a ministry of St John’s Glebe, relying on volunteers, donations and an Anglicare grant to provide food, connection and support to hundreds of people each year.
Next to the historic St John’s Church on Glebe Point Rd, is St John’s House, where we run a drop in space on Monday and Wednesday mornings from 10 am to 12:30 pm. We offer something to eat and drink in a relaxed space, for people to chat and connect with the local community. Some who are lonely just appreciate someone to talk to.
For those who are struggling to access food due to unexpected challenges or increases in the cost of living, we have free emergency food parcels available, which include groceries, fresh fruit and vegetables, and further help with toiletry items and frozen homemade meals if needed. For those who need further support, we offer appointments with our Community Workers, including an Indigenous Worker, where help with financial stressors such power bills and referrals to our counsellor, can be discussed.
Glebe is a diverse community with close to 1,800 social housing tenancies, and some residents have complex needs related to age, mental health, disability or substance abuse. Over the years we have also seen an increase in people coming to our service who are struggling with homelessness. Being in the centre of Glebe, St John’s aims to provide a space for both those in need and those who would like to help others less fortunate than themselves.
On 26 October this year, GAPP celebrates its 20th Anniversary and everyone who has been involved in that time. This is a good time for GAPP to look to the future, and think about how we can sustain this important service to the Glebe community. Unfortunately, from 30 June next year, the Anglicare grant that we have received for 10 years, will no longer be available, so we find ourselves having to apply for various grants to try and mitigate some of the ongoing costs of providing this service.
GAPP is a registered charity, and we warmly welcome any donations to our service, which are tax deductible – just click here or scan the QR code.
Other ways that we welcome help, are through donations of non-perishable food items. These can be dropped at St John’s House, 138a Glebe Point Rd, between 9 am and 1 pm on Mondays or Wednesdays. We are also in need of specific donations for essential items needed to run our service – for example, to upgrade our kitchen and storage facilities and replace outdoor seating that we use for the drop-in space. Any help, large or small, is much appreciated.
For any further information or questions about GAPP, please email Katrina or ring the office on (02) 9552 4164. Thankyou!
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