By Olivia Bunter
The Shopfront is an Archdiocesan agency supported by volunteers with aims to relieve poverty and suffering in an inclusive, welcoming environment offering fellowship and hospitality to those in need of it.
An average of 68 volunteers come in every week, preparing food and serving it to those in need of a meal.
Since its conception in 2002, individuals have come and gone, each offering their contributions to the operations of the agency to make sure Perth’s less fortunate are supplied with a meal.
Damian Walsh, Director of The Shopfront, has been with the agency some two-and-a-half years and said his inspiration for getting into this line of work came from Blessed Edmund Rice, founder of the Christian Brothers.
“His goal was to help liberate people; he fed and clothed the homeless, visited prisons,” Mr Walsh explained.
“It’s a strong part of my background, to support life and provide care to those in need.”
The estimated number of people experiencing homelessness is WA has remained consistent between the 2011 and 2016 Census, with more than 9000 people experiencing homelessness on any one night.
According to the University of Notre Dame Australia’s homelessness report for 2018, about 193 organisations are providing support to the homeless within WA, supporting up to 4000 people at any given time.
Mr Walsh said The Shopfront has received 6861 visits from January to June this year alone.
“From a humanitarian perspective, every human being deserves dignity. If you haven’t got food in your stomach, it’s pretty difficult to feel good about yourself,” Mr Walsh said.
“So even if it’s as simple as that, it’s the least we can do to help these people who haven’t got much in the way of means.”
In March 2019, it was reported that almost half of the visitors that came to Shopfront lived in the city of Bayswater, sitting at 49 per cent, while 37 per cent lived in Maylands.
The rest that made up the other percentage reportedly came from a number of places throughout the southwestern regions, including Mandurah.
Mr Walsh said that the hospitality and kindness from The Shopfront volunteers is what draws people from all walks of life to come and visit.
“The thing is, when you’re treated well – treated as an individual – it makes a huge difference,” he said.
“Every single person that comes through the door is greeted, if not by name, then a simple ‘hello’.
“People that come here know the volunteers are looking after them and they’re here because they want to be, not because they have to be; and people respond well to that.”
The volunteers at The Shopfront come from a variety of backgrounds, including those from WA universities who look to fulfill community service hours.
While they come and go, some choose to stay, including one volunteer who said his time was enjoyable experience.
“I would like to come back here when I’m done. The people here are great to be around.”
Another volunteer explained that The Shopfront is a more practical approach to helping those who need it, as they have to come to the shop, rather than having people visit them on the streets.
“I think sometimes they are wanting a handout rather than a hand up,” the volunteer said.
“So for us here, if people were really struggling then they would come and see us and I think that’s a much better way to operate with these homeless people.
“Some tend to wait and be served, rather than they can come here and we can help them but we know then that they genuinely need help.”
Donate to LifeLink at www.lifelink.com.au