UNITED SIKHS Launches Guru Nanak’s Free Community Kitchen and Food Pantry in Australia

• Australia chapter of Guru Nanak’s Free Community Kitchen and Pantry launched on 23 May, 2020
• 300 hot meals and 35 bags of groceries prepared weekly and distributed at Jamieson Way Community Centre, Wyndham Park Kindergarten, Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency and Wungurril Dhurrung Community Centre

Langar (also known as Community Kitchen in Sikhi) is one of the key practices of the Sikh religion that teaches equality, egalitarianism and selfless service. This practice was started by the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak Sahib ji, to uphold the principle of equality among all people, regardless of religion, caste, creed, colour, age or gender and to implement social justice by providing for the vulnerable, less fortunate and those in need. Centuries down, the tradition of langar continues to flourish not just in Sikh Gurdwaras and religious gatherings but also in serving hundreds of thousands in moments of crises, disaster, to those in need and vulnerable communities on a global scale. This sacred practice stems from three key principles of Sikhism – Kirat Karo (earn your living by honest means), Naam Japo (recite the name of God) and Vand Shako (share with the less fortunate and then partake yourself).

Based on these Sikh values and traditions, UNITED SIKHS established a global initiative called Guru Nanak’s Free Community Kitchen and Food Pantry. Led by local volunteers with the sole purpose of serving those in need and those who can not provide food for themselves, this initiative is an extension of the concept of Langar, where we export free meals from the gurdwaras to local communities and provide a free food pantry to sustain the work. 

Read about our work in the Guardian

The Australia chapter of Guru Nanak’s Free Community Kitchen & Food Pantry was launched in Melbourne Victoria on 23 May, 2020 in partnership with Wyndham Park Community Centre and Lets Feed. A weekly meals and grocery program, where every week, UNITED SIKHS volunteers provide 300 freshly cooked meals and 35 grocery packs to the community centres for distribution amongst families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. At present, the project is active in West Melbourne, in the state of Victoria. 

Interview Credits: Quami Awaaz Radio Station

Langar is an inherent part of the Sikh religion but it is vital that action is taken to implement its intended purpose. This is our way of giving back to the community and following through on the third key principle of Sikhism.

If you wish to support/donate to this project or if you or anyone you know will benefit, please get in touch with us at contact@unitedsikhs.org or +61 420 391 982

Remember to make an impact, make a difference and make a change.

Gurvinder Singh
Director from Australia
UNITED SIKHS
P: +61 420 391 982
E: gurvinder1.singh@unitedsikhs.org