Jane Stewart came to speak last Monday at the Rotary Club of Canterbury for a second time. Since that time, she has expanded her reach, together with her husband Grant, to further give back to the community. "It's the Little Things Community", now has over ninety volunteers working two days a week, distributing over one thousand eight hundred meals, and so far over one hundred thousand meals in total have been notched up.
Jane used to work in lifestyle programs for people living in aged care. She used to undertake bucket lists in the Kew Gardens. That was ten years ago. The types of food she distributes are culturally diverse. She began an expansion by leasing a kitchen in a church hall. She and her team include special ingredients and lots of baked goods as treats. Everything is boxed and frozen.
Jane provided specific examples of the type of work she has undertaken. ADRA, an organization dealing with victims of domestic violence in Wantirna, epitimises the acts of kindness. For example, she purchased twelve pairs of runners for members of a family. Another is the selection of toys for Christmas, for two dollars.
For those children, and their families in Ronald McDonald House, meals were provided for visiting family members. Special food treats such as frozen toasties and snack packs for siblings of patients, are available on call. Other "little" touches include personalised messages on food items.
A recent initiative for "It's the Little Things" is "Little Bags of Kindness", with ten items up to the value of one hundred and fifty dollars. It is all based on what people want. These are the foods that the budget simply will not reach.
Her work in schools involves students, such as MLC boarders who make birthday cakes, which are then stored in large freezers, ready to be delivered as required. Students are shown photos of the people who are the recipients of this bounty.
Jane oozes enthusiasm and passion in the way she cooks, stores and then distributes food to people who are truly in need.
PS
A very saintly photo of Jane was also taken accidently last Monday night - I hope Jane sees the humour in the image below.
