We could not bear that people went to bed hungry, on the streets, every single night. 

This inspired the beginnings of the Community Care Network. Our story began mid-2014 when a bunch of passionate young people involved in a range of community development areas came together with a keen interest in making an influential difference in our communities.

So we got into our cars, drove to restaurants, collected the food, brought it home and stored it until we were able to have a street effort to feed people in need. This is how our food distribution program in Melbourne started. 

We are only where we are today, through generous donations and help from volunteers over time. Since our inception, over 10,000 meals have been served to those in need, averaging 61 meals a night! 

In the service of  preventing commercial food waste AND feeding those least able to afford a hot meal.

Our core initiative is the 'Feed the Homeless' activity, where we rescue cooked meals from restaurants and distribute to the hungry in Melbourne's city center every weekend. We drive to a number of restaurants, collect the food, prepare it in our own kitchens and distribute it to the hungry.

At the moment we only have the capacity to do this during the weekends. We want the 'Feed the Homeless' program to be able to offer a hot meal every night of the week across Melbourne. Toward this end, we are currently fundraising for a food transport vehicle to improve efficiency in operations, and intend to establish a fleet of food vans to widen our reach to the needy on the streets of our city. 

We currently only have one van for collection and distribution. A second van will allow us to get closer to our dream of serving a hot meal every night to people in need. 

Our current transport van is our main means of delivering hot meals to those experiencing homelessness every weekend. 

Through the generous support of the community, we were able to raise the funds to purchase the van and fit it out to meet food transport standards. But with our dreams to expand and feed more people, it is not enough. We hope to purchase another similar van and use it to deliver hot meals to people in need at another location in central Melbourne and on a daily basis! 

"They ask you (O Muhammad SAW) what they should spend in charity. Say: 'Whatever you spend with a good heart, give it to parents, relatives, orphans, the helpless, and travellers in need. Whatever good you do, God is aware of it." 

We dream of a world where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. 

Food, clothing, and shelter are basic human rights that everyone deserves to have, and by serving food to the less fortunate through our feed the homeless program, as well as providing clothing, hygiene products, blankets and sleeping bags as additional support, we hope to uplift them and support them through their struggles. 

Not only do we see Community Care Network as a means to support the homeless, but it's also a way in which the community as a whole can serve others, an essential element of our Islamic teachings empathised by Allah in the Quran, and exemplified by the blessed Prophet Muhammad (SAW) throughout his life. We also hope to raise awareness for those who volunteer with us to the struggles faced by many in society, and to help create empathy in their hearts towards all, regardless of their circumstances. 

Our long term goal is to provide accommodation and housing to alleviate homelessness, with associated support services such as counselling and therapy for mental health, drugs and alcohol related issues.

Built on Community Love

One of our very compassionate volunteers who has been volunteering for close to two years couldn't stop thinking about those experiencing homelessness who would ask for a cup of coffee, or any warm drink, to help keep them warm in the freezing weather. So he went out and bought five thermos flasks. Now, we are proud to say that we serve warm drinks every weekend alongside warm meals! 

Partners 

We believe in working with others within our community. Which is why the Community Care Network is working in partnership with local food banks and crisis support groups, together with developing our own programs.

Through local organizations including Benevolence Australia, The Halal Food Bank, Islamic Council of Victoria and Mosquito Foundation, we are creating many opportunities for the community to help those in need.

Community Care Network is run tirelessly by a diverse group of volunteers who are dedicated and passionate in their endeavours to help those in need. Each volunteer plays a vital role in the running of the charity, bringing with them a wealth of experience and a sincere concern to help others. 

Core Committee Members:

Sarah Charmand, President, is the primary initiator and early founder of Community Care Network. She is a Real Estate Agent in the Melbourne Eastern Suburbs since 2012. Sarah is most passionate about charity and likes to devote her time in learning about world issues, travelling across the world and exploring them first hand. Sarah is a big advocate on world change and is keen to make a change but believes in the importance of beginning in one’s own home and backyard, Melbourne.

Mohamad Soubjaki, Vice President, grew up surrounded by family and community throughout his life. He is currently working as a bricklayer leading his own crew, a job that compliments his love of the outdoors and working with his hands. Mohamad started volunteering with Community Care Network in the early days, first volunteering with a food van, then later increasing his commitment to organising the groups fundraising, expansion and volunteer enrollments.

Abdul-Kareem Elsayed, Treasurer, is a business entrepreneur with a drive for developing concepts into thriving businesses since the very young age of 16.  Abdul-Kareem is an active member in many areas of the community and has volunteered in various organisations including RSPCA, teaching children with Benevolence Australia, and mentoring youth with Young Muslims of Australia, amongst others. Abdul-Kareem is one of the early committee members of Community Care Network, eventually taking on the formal role as treasurer due to his background in the field.

Amr Fouda, Secretary, has been working in the IT industry as a computer security researcher since 2004. His work in the community began in 2013 when he joined SeekersPoint Melbourne, a volunteer run organisation that gave him the opportunity to serve others through projects such as the Halal Food Bank, the CoverMe sleeping bag/blanket drive, and other community based initiatives. Amr began volunteering with the Community Care Network in their Feed the Homeless program in September 2014 and has been a regular attendee ever since, taking on the Secretary role in 2016 to help the Community Care Network with their administrative tasks.

Osama Sarakibi, Media Manager,  is currently undertaking a double degree in Communication Design and Business at Swinburne University of Technology. Osama is the co-founder of Diwani Studios, a design studio established in 2012 with a centralised focus on classical Arabic calligraphy and applied arts. His skill base is particularly focused on graphic and branding design as well as a developing interest in photography and creative advertising. Osama is also involved with Islamic Council of Victoria as an active member of their youth portfolio committee. He is also one of the early committee members of Community Care Network and his primary responsibilities are the creation and maintenance of the website and advertising materials.

Superb Volunteers:

As well as a dedicated group of volunteers who regularly pickup food, purchase supplies, manage volunteers and lead others during the Feed the Homeless activity nights, everyone, including the over 300 volunteers who have joined us during the feed the homeless nights so far,  helps the Community Care Network in its endeavours to help the less privileged in society. 

We need your help to get a new vehicle to support us in feeding more mouths across our city. 

Hot meals are hard to come by on the streets, and a fully equipped van will give us the tools we need to best be of service to some of the most vulnerable members of our community.

Please donate! Every $ counts here!

Please share our campaign with your friends and family - the more support we have, the more effective we can be inshaAllah!

Volunteering opportunities exist for those wanting to get involved in our Feed the Homeless program and other events:

Contact us through our website.

Send us an email: volunteer@communitycarenetwork.com.au

Or visit our Facebook page to keep up to date with our latest events.

We are a registered Charity with the ATO and have tax deductible status. 

Please support us to help those in need in our community.