Premier Pledges $10,000 for Our Big Kitchen
The NSW Premier, Kristina Keneally visited Sydney’s Our Big Kitchen to see first hand the efforts being made to lighten the load of Queensland flood victims…and made a surprise donation of $10,000 to help fund the initiative.
The Premier getting biscuits ready for despatch
Rabbi Dovid Slavin, director of OBK, told J-Wire: “I was flabbergasted. I knew there was a chance she might pay us a visit today but it was not guaranteed. But I had no idea that the State was going to help us financially. This was a surprise beyond belief.”
Also visiting the kitchen housed in the Yeshiva building in Bondi were local Waverley mayor Sally Betts and the Liberal candidate for Vaucluse for the March State election, Gabrielle Upton.
The kitchen was packed with volunteers of all ages and from all walks of life mostly involved in preparing biscuits for baking.
Another welcome guest was Kevin Kalinko from Dover Heights who is scheduled to fly to Brisbane tomorrow for business. He popped in to pick up a suitcase of biscuits to hand over to those most in need.
Rabbi Slavin explained: “We are not just baking for the Jewish community. Kevin is very well connected in Brisbane and he will use his own judgement to ascertain to whom he should deliver the foods. Of course Our Big Kitchen has been sending supplies to the Jewish community but we have also sent considerable amounts of food to the State Emergency Services….and will continue to do so.”
Stirring the soup
It is not just biscuits that are being sent across the border. Our Big Kitchen has been sending good old-fashioned vegetable soup north of the border. Premier Keneally got busy with the industrial soup-making machine. After production, the soup is deep frozen and sent by special transport to Queensland.
In announcing the State Government special grant of $10,000, Premier Keneally said: “I find the work done in Our Big Kitchen inspiring. There is no other word for it.” She mentioned that there had been a queue of cooks waiting outside the doors of Our Big Kitchen before it opened this morning. She added: “Today is about recognising the work of the volunteers. The $10,000 is our way of supporting what you do here. Buy more flour. Get more food to those who have been evacuated from their homes.”
Last week, Melbourne’s Jewish Care donated $7,500 to Our Big Kitchen to aid them in their effort to provide food for flood victims.
Rabbi Slavin helps Kevin Kalenko pack
Gabrielle Upton on a roll
So is Sally Betts
Rebbitzin Slavin checks the dough
I was going to make mention of the Marrickville Council but I note Rita has already done so although not quite in the same vein.
I do agree with not being grateful for any breadcrumbs; why should you or anyone else for that mattter, I know I wouldn’t I’d rather choke I’m afraid.
Would there be an election coming up?
And what will she donate of MY taxes to the anti-Semitic Marrickville council – perhaps yellow material for the creation of the Stars of David that will, no doubt, have to be carried soon by Jewish people living in that area?
Dont be so humbly grateful for bredcrumbs thrown to you under the table!
Hate to be a spoil sport here, but she’d better do it pretty quick smart, as she won’t be around for much longer!!
Shame she couldn’t finance us when we need money to make gluten free hamentushen