Lana Borg

When asked to cook a Christmas Eve banquet for Penrith's homeless in November 2013, Lana and her husband Roger realised that there was a great need to help the less fortunate in their local community.

Mama Lana's Community Foundation was born, and has been serving hot home-cooked meals for homeless people in Penrith, four nights a week, ever since. Lana does most of the cooking herself, making more than 400 meals a week in her little kitchen.

Lana's love of cooking began at an early age. Her oldest memory is standing on a chair, stirring the big pot of porridge on a timber-fuelled stove for her three siblings. Making their breakfast and school lunches were the best way she could care for them.

Lana says that one of her life goals and an objective of her foundation is to let people know that there are others out there who truly care, and want to help them get back on their feet.

As a result, not only does the foundation assist those in need of food, Lana also takes crisis calls for families that can't afford to buy food, supplies bedding, blankets and clothing and recently furnished a room for a baby.

When the bushfires ravaged Winmalee in October 2013, Mama Lana pitched in by feeding the firefighters. With the help of friends, she cooked 350 meals a day plus barbecue breakfasts and dinners for the volunteers.

It was going through some hard times herself, including an abusive father, a failed first marriage and business, and Lupus diagnosis which inspired Lana to start Mama Lana's Authentic Italian Meals with her new husband Roger.

Her childhood love of cooking, which got her through many of her life challenges, has led to the success of Lana's business and most importantly outstanding contribution to her local community through the Foundation.