Since 2004 the Adventist Development and Relief Agency, known as ADRA, has been providing invaluable support to the Blacktown community. ADRA provides free services such as counselling, case management and access to grocery items. 

I was delighted to attend the opening of ADRA's relocated food pantry on the corner of Kildare Road and Balmoral Street with the team from ADRA, including centre chaplain Eddy Johnson, who has been with ADRA since 2007; centre manager Grace Copoceanu; and counsellor John Creswell.

The expansion was made possible with the support of Atul Kumar and the Signature Foundation. Atul has a big heart and is always willing to support local charities.

With that support, ADRA can now provide groceries to 350 people per week. ADRA helps people who have faced challenges such as domestic violence, addiction, family matters, anxiety, depression and anger management. 

I applaud the ADRA team and the volunteers who make this possible.