Days of torrential rain across Australia's east coast has resulted in thousands of homes in New South Wales and Queensland being submerged by record-breaking flood waters.
The catastrophic floods have devastated communities, leaving residents who were forced to quickly evacuate their homes with almost nothing.
But it's during difficult times like these that Australians bond together to help each other out — and that can be seen by the efforts of Sikh Volunteers Australia, an organisation that aims to reduce distress in the community by providing free food to people in need.
Based in Victoria, you may have first heard of them when they banded together to provide 1,325 free meals for housing commission residents in Melbourne who were suddenly forced into lockdown by the government in 2020.
Since then, they've continued their heroic volunteer efforts, including driving all the way from Victoria to Woolgoolga, New South Wales (that's 20 hours!), to assist with flood-affected victims in Lismore.
Sikh Volunteers Australia team is heading to Queensland floods affected areas to provide support with freshly cooked vegetarian food. Any local assistance in the form of information about where is the service is required most, will help us hugely. Please contact us on 0452601734
According to a tweet from Guardian Australia reporter Rafqa Touma, volunteers from Sikh Volunteers Australia "left Victoria at 6am yesterday [Tuesday, March 1], arrived in NSW at 4am today [Wednesday, March 2], and have been preparing fresh meals for Lismore since."
Based on the community response since this morning, We have realised that the Service is much required in Lismore area. We are heading towards evacuation centres in Lismore and We request local communities to inform us about any local operating kitchen facility available for hire
A video shared on Sikh Volunteers Australia's Twitter page shows them preparing huge quantities of food to be distributed amongst flood-affected areas.
Food preparation in progress for flood affected areas
Like, take a look at these industrial-sized pots and stick mixers, as well as the camaraderie shared between these volunteers as they peel and chop countless potatoes, ready to be cooked into curries.
An update posted this morning shows the organisation, who have been on the road for nearly 34 hours at this point, serving food to the town of Lismore. In their tweet, they urged anyone who needs support to come visit them.
After being on road for nearly 34 hours, Finally the SVA team has reached Lismore and is serving the affected communities. We have set up on 60 Ross Street Goonellabah. Anyone need support with food, may come to this location
Aussies couldn't be more proud of Sikh Volunteers Australia, thanking them for their incredible community service and calling them "angels on Earth".
@AustraliaSikh Every time there is a disaster the Sikh community steps up. Every. Single. Time. Thank you so much for all you do.
@AustraliaSikh Sikh Volunteers Australia are angels on earth. Thank you, so much, for your compassion, generous service to Australian communities. 🙏🏻💓
@AustraliaSikh You men and women, and families and community which support you, are just so amazingly generous and wonderful. A true example of how we should all be towards others.
@AustraliaSikh @thetipsguru Monumental stuff. Order of Australia for these guys. Heroic.
@AustraliaSikh @reardon_shaun Thank you for always being at frontline of every disaster and always stepping up to help. You are all a blessing to us x
@AustraliaSikh @BelindaJones68 @TamePunk @DylanAlcott next year's Australians of the year for sure 🥰
@AustraliaSikh Said it before and I will say it again, you are a wonderful group of people doing fantastic work. Thankyou for everything you do. For anyone who would like to help out https://t.co/MFJVwYCfxF
@AustraliaSikh ...as a white middle aged working class punter there isn't much of late that makes me proud of my country but the Sikh Volunteers do. Ruthless caring. When it comes to helping, they do not take prisoners. Totally Sikh.
@AustraliaSikh @TonyHWindsor You folks are an Australian National Treasure. Thank you for what you do. Giving alms to those in need.
@AustraliaSikh Hillsong might get millions from Prime Minister scott but it is Sikh Volunteers Australia team who deserve to get that money it seems, well done and thank you !
From the bottom of every Australian's heart, thank you so much to this fantastic organisation for giving so selflessly during times of need.
If you have the means and want to help them, Sikh Volunteers Australia accepts donations through their website.