Hellenic Relief Foundation and Partner Organization in Athens ΕΛΕΣΘΥ Complete Successful Food Distribution – Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

For yet another Easter, the Hellenic Relief Foundation, together with their partner organization in Athens ΕΛΕΣΘΥ, ensured that the beneficiaries of the monthly benefits had all the basic necessities for the Easter holidays. The Social Committee of the Athenian Society in Greece also made an important contribution. From Maundy Tuesday, the distribution of parcels containing the usual basic food items, as well as lamb, eggs, tsourekia and soft drinks, began to organizations, foundations and about 350 beneficiary families and individuals. Among the beneficiary organizations were the Mutual Assistance Fund of the Association of Greek Actors (ΤΑΣΕΗ) and the Meropeio Nursing Home in Athens, together with their care unit for elderly women. On Maundy Wednesday, distribution from the organization’s headquarters in Thiseio was completed.

The support of our fellow Greek citizens in need is made possible by the support of the omogenia and the volunteers in Athens, who spare no effort to ensure that nothing is missing from the monthly benefits. The contribution of the community of Ss Nicholas Constantine & Helen from Roseland, NJ was especially crucial for the Easter distribution. All the money for the Easter distribution was raised at a concert organized by the Roseland community. Ms. Maria Siourdi, director of the HRF’s partner organization ΕΛΕΣΘΥ, ensures that all protocols and standards are met in this transparent charity work, who together with the tireless volunteers Antonia Pantouvaki, Soula Belli and Emy Spanou have contributed in their own way to the omogenia’s efforts, and have also brought new supporters to this monthly endeavor.

Despite the efforts of the omogenia through the HRF. its partner organization and its donors, and despite the upward economic trend in Greece, the effects of that growth are not yet openly visible, and both poverty and unemployment remain high. In addition to the above groups doing their part to tackle this problem, the following companies have also expressed their support for this distribution and others: N. Konstantopoulou Group, Agrovim, Kamilaris AEBE – Ariston Butter, FrieslandCampina, Coca-Cola 3E, Karamolegos AEBE, Arla Foods, Food Bank, Barba Stathis, Tottis-Bingo, Barilla AE, Softex and Mr. Dimitris Mouliatos, Chairman of the 2nd Municipal Market of Athens, who offered large quantities of potatoes and eggs free of charge to the beneficiaries.

There was also no shortage of Easter eggs and chocolates for the children of the beneficiaries, who also had clothing available to complement the HRF’s partner organization. The group, together with their honorary chair Mrs Kypraiou and lead volunteer Mrs Siourdi, would like to thank the omogenia, in particular the community of Ss Nicholas Constantine & Helen in Roseland, and individual sponsors who supported the Easter distribution financially and materially, but also those who supported the work of support the HRF all year round.