Feed The Hunger with Guru Ka Langar (Guru Nanak’s Langar Reaches Australia)

Feed The Hunger with Guru Ka Langar
(Guru Nanak’s Langar Reaches Australia)

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many communities in Melbourne, Australia faced food insecurity, particularly families struggling to make ends meet. Vulnerable groups such as the elderly, Aboriginal communities, and those affected by the economic impact of the pandemic required urgent support.

UNITED SIKHS aimed to extend its global humanitarian efforts by establishing a chapter of Guru Nanak’s Free Community Kitchen and Pantry in Australia. The goal was to provide hot meals and essential groceries to support those who were unable to access food due to the ongoing crisis. This initiative also sought to uphold the Sikh tradition of Langar, which emphasizes equality, selfless service, and sharing with those in need.

On May 23, 2020, UNITED SIKHS, in partnership with Wyndham Park Community Centre and Lets Feed, launched the Australia chapter of Guru Nanak’s Free Community Kitchen and Pantry in Melbourne, Victoria. Volunteers prepared 300 freshly cooked meals and 35 grocery bags each week. These were distributed to several community centers, including the Jamieson Way Community Centre, Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency, Wyndham Park Kindergarten, and Wungurril Dhurrung Community Centre. The initiative followed Sikh principles of Kirat Karo (honest living), Naam Japo (spiritual reflection), and Vand Shako (sharing with others).

The project provided vital food aid to hundreds of individuals and families every week in West Melbourne. By continuing the centuries-old Sikh tradition of Langar, UNITED SIKHS helped alleviate food insecurity for the community during a time of crisis. The initiative became a lifeline for vulnerable groups, embodying the values of equality, compassion, and service that are central to the Sikh faith.