A restaurant owner is giving away hundreds of meals every month as Australians struggle with the rising cost of living.
Glen Mezei, founder of Site Pizza Bar, has been helping feed the community since 2020, when he saw Aussies struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mr Mezei opened his first dream restaurant in Little Bay on Sydney’s Eastern Beaches in 2013, followed by another restaurant in nearby Maroubra in 2019, but is now giving back to his local communities.
The father-of-three told Daily Mail Australia that locals are struggling now more than ever as high rents, high interest rates and punishing inflation hit families.
‘These are difficult times; “I have seen more and more homelessness and people struggling in the past year than I have ever seen in my life,” Mr Mezei said.
“Even the unexpected people are suffering, not just the homeless, the housing committee, but basically everyone.”
Site Pizza Bar owner and founder Glen Mezei has made it his mission to give back to the community by offering free meals to Aussies struggling with homelessness and the cost of living (photo: Mr Mezei helps the Chopping Circle in Martin Place)
Mr Mezei, along with his staff and family, volunteer every second Sunday to help the Chopping Circle – a charity that provides food to homeless and food-stressed households – in Martin Place (pictured)
Despite his own financial struggles and the need to close his Alexandria location due to staff shortages, Mr. Mezei gives back to the community as much as he can.
Mr Mezei and his staff prepare between 50 and 80 meals on Sundays, which are then laid out at the front of his restaurant in Little Bay every Monday.
He added that the store will remain closed Monday so people can grab a free meal or two, available to anyone who needs it, without judgment.
“I put the meals outside in my shop… you don’t have to ask, you don’t have to say ‘thank you’, we’re not open,” Mr Mezei said.
‘Some people don’t like going to these places and being seen, so you don’t really have to say anything.
“If it helps and makes a difference to your day or your neighbors’, just come by and grab a meal.”
Every Saturday, Mr Mezei also works with Ian Schaffer, co-founder of Street Buffet Woolloomooloo and the charity Maroubra, which provides buffet-style meals to the homeless, vulnerable people and disadvantaged families.
The busy small business owner can also be seen every second Sunday in Martin Place, helping out with the Chopping Circle – a charity that prepares food and communal dinner for homeless and food-stressed households.
He and his staff prepare between 50 and 80 meals every Monday, available without judgment outside his restaurant in Little Bay, for anyone struggling with the cost of living (pictured, Mr Mezei and his eldest daughter Jade)
The father of three said he does everything he can to help those in need, claiming that ‘there is more to life than having money in my pockets’ (pictured, Mr Mezei with his youngest daughter Amie)
He added that the Little Bay restaurant will close on March 30 as he, along with family and staff, will be volunteering at Martin Place over the three-day Easter long weekend.
Mr Mezei said he would rather “make a better Easter for some” by spending his money on charities and trying to help as many people as possible.
“There’s more to life than having money in my pockets,” Mezei said.
“It’s hard, and I don’t think a few hundred dollars here or there will change my life, but it can certainly change others.”
As a father, Mr. Mezei explained that he can set a good example for his three children by doing what he can to help those in need.
The restaurant owner said he would “never try to put himself on a pedestal and speak to others” because the cost of living crisis is “not easy” for small businesses.
Mr Mezei urged local and state governments to do more when it comes to providing assistance to the homeless, disadvantaged and Australians at risk.
“Local governments and municipalities need to recognize this and maybe help a little,” Mezei said.
“They can see that all these people are doing the best they can with their own pockets, so they need to take a look at who is helping the communities and provide some kind of assistance so they can help more people.
‘If we don’t help, no one else will. I would like to give out 200 meals on Monday, but I just can’t afford that.’
Mr Mezei encouraged anyone who would like to help alongside Chopping Circle to join them at the Reserve Bank on Macquarie Street in Martin Place on Saturday, March 30.
He added that those wishing to donate food, clothing and warm blankets can drop off the items at Site Pizza Bar in Little Bay and Maroubra or contact Chopping circle straight away.
