In just a few short years the demand for food services at Sydney charity, St Merkorious, has more than doubled and there is no sign of that changing any time soon.

The charity is providing more than 3800 nutritious meals a week to the needy and thanks to the PAYCE Foundation it will have extra capacity to help more people.

PAYCE Foundation Executive Officer, Andrea Comastri said the Foundation’s goal was to assist charities build their capacity, not just make donations.

“St Merkorious has in just a few short years developed a much-needed food service which is helping people in real need,” he said.

“In partnership with the St Merkorious team, we have put together a plan to build up capacity.”

This has included a mobile food delivery van, a training program for volunteers and recipients of the outreach program provided in partnership with National Training Organisation and food service management consulting from an experienced caterer and chef.

The PAYCE Foundation – which is the philanthropic arm of property company PAYCE – is also the major sponsor of the charity’s annual fundraiser, A Day At The Bay.

St Merkorious president, Paula Nicolas said: “We feed the poor in order to relieve them of the misery that builds up when hunger consumes them”.

‘’Our program opens the way for people to realise that they are not forgotten, and that someone cares enough to visit them, talk to them and support them in their hour of need.’’

Ms Nicolas said the partnership with the PAYCE Foundation was vital in growing the charity to help more people.

“The demand for our services is strong and we want to help as many people as we can.”