When people talk about food relief, they often imagine a standard food parcel: tinned goods, bread, perhaps some pasta. Practical. Filling. Sufficient. But for many of the families we serve at Om Bhandara, food is far more than fuel — it is culture, comfort, identity, and belonging. And for a migrant family far from home, receiving a meal that tastes familiar can mean the difference between feeling supported and feeling invisible.
This is why culturally appropriate food relief sits at the very centre of everything we do
The Communities We Serve
Melbourne’s western suburbs are home to one of Australia’s most culturally diverse populations. In the Brimbank region and surrounding areas, large communities of Indian, Nepalese, Sri Lankan, Fiji Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi families have built their lives — and many of them face unique vulnerabilities that standard food assistance programs are not designed to address.
International students on temporary visas, for example, are often excluded from the welfare safety net. When their income dries up — through a lost job, a health crisis, or a cancelled semester — there is very little to catch them. Many are vegetarian for religious or cultural reasons, and standard food bank provisions may include items they cannot or will not eat.
The cost-of-living crisis has made this worse. Rising rents, skyrocketing grocery prices, and stagnant wages have pushed more families into food insecurity — including people who would never have expected to need assistance.
What ‘Culturally Appropriate’ Actually Means
At Om Bhandara, culturally appropriate food relief means:
- Freshly cooked vegetarian meals, prepared in our commercial kitchen at 8 Charles Street, St Albans, by volunteers who understand South Asian cooking and dietary needs
- Ingredients sourced from local Indian grocery stores and farmers familiar with the produce our communities use every day
- Long-life food hampers that include culturally familiar staples — lentils, rice, spices, and other pantry essentials — not just generic tinned goods
- Delivery direct to the household, preserving the dignity of families who may feel uncomfortable visiting a public food bank
- Communication in the languages and through the networks our community trusts
These are not extras. They are the baseline of dignified food relief.
Our Track Record
Since 2020, Om Bhandara volunteers have delivered over 25,000 free meals across Melbourne’s western suburbs. We have done this through the Victorian Priority Response for Multicultural Communities program, through donations of produce from generous local suppliers, and through the tireless commitment of our volunteer team.
The feedback we receive is consistent: families tell us that receiving a hot, home-style meal — one that reflects their own food culture — makes them feel seen, supported, and less alone. That matters.
The Bigger Picture
Food insecurity among culturally diverse communities is underreported and underserved. People do not always know what assistance is available to them, or how to access it. Language barriers, unfamiliarity with Australian systems, and the stigma of asking for help all contribute to people going without.
Om Bhandara works to bridge those gaps. We operate through the networks and trusted relationships already present in our communities, which means families hear about us from a friend, a neighbour, or a community organisation they already trust.
We are an ACNC-registered charity with DGR status. Every dollar donated to Om Bhandara is directed toward feeding people who need it — and every donation of $2 or more is tax-deductible.
Join Us
If you share our belief that every person — regardless of visa status, background, or income — deserves access to food that nourishes both body and spirit, we would love your support. Donate, volunteer, or simply share our story. It all makes a difference.
Visit ombhandara.com or email us at info@ombhandara.com to find out more.
