About Us
PeaceMeals Inc. is a registered charity governed by a Board
PeaceMeals is a not-for-profit community-engagement project, hosting simple gatherings that provide an opportunity for people of widely different backgrounds to share a meal, share their stories and make connections.
Any profit made by the organisation goes back into the operation of the organisation to carry out its purposes. There is no profit or gain, direct or indirect, for its individual Board members.
2021 Board Members
Saleha Singh
Director
Sayed Abdullah Rabbani
Vice Director
Miryam Gutierrez
Treasurer
Awar Kuol
Secretary
Kate Shelton
Member
Alek Nyok
Member
Mary Stephen
Patron
Mission
To evolve a cohesive Australia where racial stereotypes no longer exist because people know and regularly interact with people from other cultures and backgrounds.
Values
Appreciate differences in each other's cultures and recognise the richness of our own diversity. Establish greater understanding and awareness between disparate groups in our society. Promote a sense of equality that is based on mutual respect.
Objectives
- To develop social cohesion by breaking down barriers to racial integration by nurturing the interaction of refugees, new arrivals, ‘minority communities’ and ‘established’ Australians.
- Bring strangers together to share a meal and listen to each other’s stories with goodwill.
- Connect and gather people through sharing experiences.
- To provide a platform for creating awareness, trust, understanding and respect across the diverse cultural groups in our community.
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- Provide an opportunity for established Australians to mix outside of their familiar circles and appreciate our diversity.
- Keep people connected through social media networks to extend their opportunities to socialise and stay ‘connected’ and increase employment opportunities.
Australia
Email: peacemealsmelbourne@gmail.com
Phone: 0417447168
Phone: 0400122868
Background
Kate Shelton established PeaceMeals in 2015 when she relocated from Canberra to Melbourne. She identified constant xenophobia in the media and recognised the universal nature of food, and sharing of meals as a vehicle to increase social cohesion. Kate created the name and concept to provide an opportunity for ‘established’ Australians to sit at a table and share a meal with ‘new’ Australians. Her motive is that fear of ‘the other’ is broken down through sharing of food, conversation, followed by appreciation, trust and respect. She embraced people from many communities and invited them to dinner with friends and family. The first dinners were held at The Social Studio in Collingwood. Artist/designer, Simon Swingler, created the logo pro bono. Through Facebook and a dedicated team of loyal members it slowly expanded. Mary Stephen and Lander and Roger’s Pro Bono department , were crucial to PeaceMeals development, as well as establishing the legal requirements of a charity, the constitution and governing Board. Popularity grew through the very generous support from cafes donating the use of their venues, in particular, South of Johnston Café in Collingwood and Grub Fitzroy. There are zero administration costs as all Board members give their time free of charge. Saleha Singh is the current Director and is evolving training and employment networks.