Paying it forward

A man gave a homeless boy a pizza 30 years ago. That boy grew up and just donated 124 pizzas to our WestCare Centre kitchen.

For Ben, pizza is more than delicious – it’s a powerful way to show people that they matter.

From the tender age of 13 to the age of 20, Ben was living on the streets.

During that difficult and traumatic time, he has never forgotten the kindness that people showed him. In particular, he has never forgotten the man who gave him $20 and a pizza.

“That $20 and pizza meant the world to me,” he says. “I always remembered it.”

“I survived. But after my time on the streets, I’ve always felt it’s my responsibility to help others, because of how I was helped. That $20 might not change someone’s life, but when their life does change, they’ll remember it.”

Earlier this year, Ben donated $1000 for pizzas to be served to people experiencing homelessness at our WestCare Centre. His donation came at a time when more people than ever found themselves in dire circumstances, due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The donation funded 124 pizzas that were served throughout a month! They (clients) were so grateful and happy,” says WestCare cook, Heather McNarry.

Today, Ben and his partner drive road trains to Perth and he has started his successful business ‘The Drone Way’ taking pictures of some of the stunning Australian landscape they see along their travels. All profits from his photography are donated to charity.

“It allows me to give more. I’ve been there,” he says. “And I know how much it’s appreciated.”