‘We're There For Them’: COVID Grocery Kits On Offer To NSW & Vic Music Industry Workers

With the fresh round of announcements yesterday afternoon spelling another lockdown for Victoria and extended restrictions in Queensland, while New South Wales completes its third week in lockdown, the financial and mental toll on families, workers and businesses is greater than ever.

Earlier in the week, the NSW State Government announced a $75 million stimulus package for the music and Arts industries facing peril amid the ongoing COVID crisis; but the live event industry at large continues to suffer, with many artists and industry workers still in the dark for the foreseeable future, and many struggling to make ends meet.

But while the doom and gloom swirls, particularly after the latest snap announcement for lockdown-weary Victorians, businesses and organisations around the country have been rallying to bring hope and aid to those who need it most, and as of today Khalsa Aid Australia has extended their COVID 19 Grocery Aid in Sydney and Victoria for those in need.

An international non-profit organisation aiming to provide humanitarian aid in disaster areas and conflict zones around the world, Khalsa Aid is based upon the Sikh principle of 'Recognise the whole human race as one'. The Australian Khalsa Aid branch has frequently worked to support First Nations communities and those experiencing homelessness and social isolation, amongst other initiatives, most recently, thrown open support for those experiencing financial hardship during the current lockdowns.

Offering grocery supplies to those in genuine need during lockdown (subject to availability), Khalsa Aid are monitoring and updating their support and operations accordingly as the COVID situation evolves, while also sending out a timely shout out to the beleaguered music industry, as Khalsa Aid Australia volunteer and hip hop artist L-FRESH The LION told The Music today.

"During this lockdown period until the end of the month, Khalsa Aid Australia are offering grocery kits to people who are experiencing financial hardship, " L-FRESH said.

"For artists and musicians and those working in the music industry, the constant disruptions to being able to earn a living has meant that it can be challenging for those in the industry. So, we just wanted to extend our support specifically to artists and musicians. Because often when we do these callouts, we get responses, as we have in the past during the previous lockdown and in other cities across the country during lockdowns - we get mostly responses from international students and those in the elderly community.

"I feel that artists and musicians, because we're often the ones giving during hard times, we tend to forget about ourselves, or don't feel like we can access support as well. So, we specifically wanted to mention artists, musicians and those working in the music industry, to let them know that we acknowledge them as well, and recognise that it hasn't been easy for the entire sector. 

"We're there for them, if anybody needs it."

In Sydney, the Grocery Aid is currently active until Friday 30 July, and open to include the elderly, international students, artists, musicians and music industry workers, while Victoria's has been extended until Sunday 25 July. Khalsa Aid are monitoring each state's situation as it unfolds, and the support may change pending further announcements around lockdown and restrictions.

To access support or read more, visit www.khalsaaid.org, or visit Khalsa Aid Australia's Facebook here for more information.