A restaurant owner is giving away hundreds of meals every month as Australians battle the rising cost of living.
Glen Mezei, founder of Site Pizza Bar, has helped feed the community since 2020, when he saw Australians struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mezei opened his first dream restaurant in Little Bay on Sydney’s eastern beaches in 2013, followed by another in nearby Maroubra in 2019, but now he is giving back to his local communities.
The father-of-three told Daily Mail Australia that locals are now struggling more than ever with high rents, high interest rates and inflation that is punishing families.
‘Times are difficult; In the last year I have seen more and more homeless people and people in distress than in my life,” said Mr. Mezei.
“Even unexpected people suffer, not just the homeless, the housing commission, but 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 Australians struggling with homelessness and the cost of living crisis (pictured Mr Mezei helping the Chopping Circle at Martin Place)
Mr Mezei, along with his staff and family, volunteer to help Chopping Circle, a charity that provides food to homeless people and food-stressed households, at Martin Place every second Sunday (pictured) .
Despite his own financial problems and having to close his Alexandria location due to staff shortages, Mr. Mezei gives back to the community as much as he can.
Mr Mezei, together with his staff, prepares between 50 and 80 meals on Sundays, which are then served to the door of his restaurant in Little Bay every Monday.
He added that the store will be closed on Monday and that people will be able to grab one or two free meals, available to anyone who needs them without “judgment.”
“I put the meals in front of 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 there’s basically no need to say anything.
“If it helps you and makes a difference to your day or your neighbors’ day, just come down and eat.”
Every Saturday, Mezei also works alongside Ian Schaffer, co-founder of Street Buffet Woolloomooloo and the Maroubra charity, which provides buffet-style meals to homeless people, at-risk people and disadvantaged families.
The busy small business owner can also be seen every second Sunday at Martin Place, helping out alongside Chopping Circle, a charity that prepares community meals and dinners for homeless and food-stressed households.
He and his staff prepare between 50 and 80 meals every Monday, which are available “without judgement” outside his Little Bay restaurant, for anyone struggling with the cost of living crisis (pictured Mr Mezei and his eldest daughter Jade).
The father of three said he does everything he can to help those in need, stating that “there is more to life than having money in your 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 his family and staff, will volunteer at Martin Place over the three-day Easter long weekend.
Mezei said he would rather “make a better Easter for some” by spending his money on charity and trying to help as many people as he can.
“Life is much more than having money in your pockets,” Mezei said.
“It’s hard, and I think a few $100 here or there isn’t going to change my life, but it can definitely change others.”
As a father, Mezei explained that he can set a good example for his three children by doing everything he can to help those in need.
The restaurant owner said he would “never try to put himself on a pedestal and criticize others” because the cost of living crisis is “not easy” for small businesses.
Mezei urged state and local governments to do more when it comes to providing help to homeless, disadvantaged and at-risk Australians.
“Local governments and councils should recognize this and maybe help a little,” Mr Mezei said.
‘They can see all these people making efforts with their own pockets, so they should take a look at who is helping the communities and offer some kind of assistance so that they can help more people.
‘If we don’t help, no one else will. I’d love to cook 200 meals on a Monday, but I can’t afford it.’
Mezei encouraged anyone who wanted to help alongside Chopping Circle to join them outside 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 cutting circle directly.