By VANESSA VALENZUELA
FOR more than two decades, Charlie Desira has given up his time to deliver food to hungry residents across Brimbank without expecting anything in return.
But this year, the 67-year-old St Albans resident will be recognised for his selflessness and hard work.
Mr Desira is the inaugural winner of the Star Volunteer of the Year Award and will receive $1000 from our sponsor the Werribee Automotive Group.
“I didn’t think that I would have had a chance at all, I thought that there are more people out there that work harder than me, so when I got the news I was really surprised,” Mr Desira said.
“I was happy because this is something that keeps me going to continue working for the people.”
Mr Desira works with a small team of volunteers at the Loaves and Fishes food bank which is run by Holy Eucharist Parish.
Each week he helps deliver food parcels to Brimbank residents in need and the Parish relies solely on donations from Food Bank Victoria, VicRelief and the community.
Mr Desira said he decided to volunteer at the St Albans food bank after noticing an influx of refugees struggling to find work and deprived of food.
“You look at people, and often you think they are fine, and there is nothing wrong with them. But then you hear their stories, and it’s an entirely different thing,” he told Star.
“When I talk to other people and tell them, they don’t believe me. They say this wouldn’t happen in Australia.”
Mr Desira said he would use the prize money to buy a new food delivery van for the Loaves and Fishes food bank to replace the existing run-down vehicle.
“Money isn’t everything to me. I don’t do this for the money. If I can see people happy, that’s much better than getting money to me,” he said.
To donate to Loaves and Fishes contact Holy Eucharist Parish on StAlbansSouth@cam.org.au
