A Milestone of Compassion: 1,000 Food Packs Delivered to Rough Sleepers and Homeless People in Monash

(October 2025) — Pictured above: Juan Tovar, Homeless Program Officer, Monash Council, with Sue Mills, Community Vice-Chair and Past President of the Rotary Club of Monash Glen Waverley, celebrating the collection of the 1,000th Food Pack from the Club.

What began as an initiative during Sue’s Presidency in 2019–20 has grown into a cornerstone of the Monash Council’s Homelessness Program, providing essential food support to rough sleepers and homeless people across the City of Monash.

Each food pack provides roughly a full day’s nourishment for a person experiencing homelessness. These packs are distributed by Council Officers as they engage with individuals on the streets — helping to build trust, create meaningful connections, and link them to further support. This vital relationship-building is at the heart of Juan’s role at Council.

By July this year, Council had already identified as many new rough sleepers as in the whole of the previous year — a sobering indication that homelessness is on the rise and that many in our community are struggling more than ever.

That’s why continuing to support this program is not just important — it’s essential. Through the fundraising efforts of the Rotary Club of Monash Glen Waverley and proceeds from our Op Shop, we are proud to contribute to this meaningful and impactful project.

As we celebrate this milestone, we reaffirm our commitment to serving those in need — standing alongside our community, one food pack and one act of kindness at a time.