it’s Eman

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Eman fell on some hard times.

“I was 21 and was classed as old and unmarried. So I was shipped off to Lebanon for an arranged marriage. I got married and then came back to Australia with my then husband.” Eman’s marriage was not a good one, with a controlling husband who made her life hell. After her first born she realised this was not the life she wanted for her child & she separated from him.

But not before he had withdrawn all the money from her bank account. So she found herself starting from scratch with her child just trying to get back on their feet. “Trying to find a job... it was really tough and still trying to find money for the rent. So I stole food to get by. I ended up getting caught and that was the turning point in my life. The police officer that came didn’t arrest me, he gave me a chance and said it’s what you do next that will decide what direction your life goes. This officer was so helpful, he told me about spreadsheets and things on the net that I could find to help me budget & plan for the future. I knew I needed to get myself back on my feet and take the police officers advice... & then knew I needed to help other people who were in a similar situation as me. I remember sitting in the back office of the supermarket waiting for the police to arrest me, feeling so ashamed and angry with myself, but I got my shit together. It took me a long time to get back on my feet but I did and then I knew I had to help others. I knew I had to create a non judgmental space where people like me could go to get food, it’s one of life‘s most basic needs, you can’t live without it but if you can’t get it, what are you supposed to do, you steal it, you get caught & you go to jail.”

“So I started a Facebook page and started cooking extra meals from home, then I would post it up and people would come and eat my food. It started off from my house and then a carpark then from one hall to five halls. Now with 37 volunteers and 4 paid staff we help over 2000 people every single week and it’s all with food that’s been donated to us. So at the end of the day we collect food from cafes, shops & supermarkets, we pick it up and then we offer it to people in need. People that come to Heart & Soul don’t pay for the food and we don’t ask any questions. Food is just one of the reasons people come out, a lot of the older people come out and it may be the only people in the entire week they speak to. Some don’t even take food they just come out for a chat.”

All of the volunteers have also at one stage asked for assistance from Heart & Soul, Eman says “they have all walked through the door saying can you help me.”

Eman is always thinking of other ways to help people in need. “The next thing is the warehouse, we move in on the 1st of February. A Registered Training Organisation‘s coming in to train people in Cert two in foodhandling and warehousing. We’ve purchased some food trucks so people that come through our system can work in a workable food truck to get a taste of it and if they love it, we can help them in getting employment and if they don’t, we can find something else for them.”

“Our phenomenal team of 37 volunteers do all the food markets plus a lot of good friends and family that I’ve roped in. My son and my niece both drive trucks and another driver Patrick who is my backbone and I could not run this without him and his wife Margaret.”

Raising awareness and funds is always an ongoing challenge for amazing non profits like Heart & Soul Inc. So here’s an idea to not only have a flamin’ good night with friends but also make a real difference to so many. ‘Bogan Bingo’ is coming to the Port Adelaide Football Club on Saturday the 8th of December, doors open at 7pm with proceeds going to help those in need. 

To purchase your Bogan Bingo tickets & to learn more about Heart & Soul Inc, to get involved & to give your time or to donate to this amazing cause, please checkout heartandsoulinc.org.au or click this facebook link Heart & Soul Inc. or just ring Eman on 0411 962 337 to have a chat to this amazing women on how you could lend a helping hand

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it’s Matt

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it’s Ashleigh