Homeless Connect Perth: Greek Orthodox Church and St Andrews Grammar School teaming up for annual event

A PERTH church and school are preparing to help up to 1000 homeless people with the annual Homeless Connect Perth event.

The event, to be held at Russell Square in November, is a one stop shop providing meals, packaged food, clothes, toiletries, toys and health checks.

St Andrews Grammar School students began collecting donated items at the beginning of October which will be handed out at the event, which they will help to set up.

Reverend Elpidios Karalis from the Greek Orthodox Church in Northbridge said there was a five week collecting period before the event.

“We’ve got an average amount of non perishable foods, clothing and shoes, but judging from other years, it comes in the last minute,” he said.

“We definitely need non-perishable foods because every year, within the first three or four hours, they are the first to go.

“We feed the people on the day but also they may take a bag of non-perishables with them so you could imagine if we don’t have enough, they will go instantly.”

Reverend Karalis said he saw more people seek help each year, with expectations that the day would attract upwards of 1000 people this year.

“We’ve have seen an increase in homeless people over the years, the ideal would be to have zero but unfortunately we do get about 800 to 1000 come through,” he said.

“They come from all over Perth.

“What I find interesting that as part of Homeless Connect people go around giving free hugs and that’s quite touching, it’s not always food people need but a bit of compassion and a chit chat.

“At times it is families and a lot of individuals; all walks of life.”