Settlement Services International (SSI) is a community-based, not-for-profit humanitarian organisation providing a range of services in the areas of humanitarian settlement, accommodation, asylum seeker assistance, multicultural foster care, disability support and employment services in NSW. SSI also offers quality groceries at an affordable price for all people in need. For over a year now, throughout Sydney, the Staples Bag project has enabled better access to basic supplies.
The standard Staples Bag includes an array of food items such as milk, bread, assorted pantry staples, seasonal vegetables, meat, poultry, seafood and fruit. For just $20 customers receive approximately $60 worth of nutritious and essential food items.
SSI Project Officer Leanne Hung has been involved with the Staples Bag since its launch at the Auburn Centre for Community in September 2015. The Staples Bag also provides opportunities for job seekers. Ms Hung explains: “As a member of CoAct, delivering the Job Active program, the Staples Bag social enterprise provides its participants – long-term unemployed – with skills in a range of areas including logo and website design, packaging and warehouse maintenance, customer service and direct marketing.”
SSI Manager of Employment Services, Terry Wilson, says the food hampers are a prime example of how SSI’s holistic approach to developing employment programs produces practical outcomes. “The Staples Bag is one of three social enterprises developed by SSI that help in the creation of a product that can be marketed,” Mr Wilson said. “These initiatives involve jobseekers throughout the process so they develop valuable experience, skills and training along the way.”
Ms Hung adds: “There’s a family Staples Bag ($30) containing up to $80 worth of grocery items, and a Vegetarian Bag ($15) that may include tofu – sometimes tofurkey – peanuts, hazelnuts, gourmet soups, rice and biscuits. One time we had bocconcini and there’s always some fruit in there. Household items, cleaning products and toiletries, whatever people might need, is available.”
Ms Hung most enjoys “being able to help as many people as we can to access quality and low-priced groceries”. She says: “It’s good to see someone filling an entire trolley with fresh fruit and vegetables as well as branded items, and bringing that to the counter for $30 or less. It’s very satisfying to help people to live well and to maintain their dignity in difficult times.”
The food packages can be purchased from the Staples Bag pop-up stores at the Northcott Estate in Surry Hills every Friday between 2 and 3pm, at Poets Corner in Redfern every Wednesday between 11am and 12pm, and at Wayside Chapel in Potts Point every Wednesday from 12.30 to 1.30pm.
