Alex Dekker

Alex Dekker is a humanitarian worker and founder of the Australian food charity Alex Makes Meals.

Alex Dekker
Alex Dekker (left) at a fundraiser
Born	(2000-03-31) March 31, 2000 (age 24) Melbourne
Occupation(s)	Humanitarian and entrepreneur
Organization	Alex Makes Meals
Website	adekker.com

In 2020, during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dekker started the food charity initially to assist in feeding healthcare workers, inspired by helping his sister, a doctor. The demand for meals quickly outgrew the capacity of the then 19-year-old university student, so he gathered a team of volunteers and founded the charity Alex Makes Meals. The charity expanded its attentions to include homeless people and other support groups. ^{[1] [2] [3]}

Dekker initially left his university course to run the charity at the peak of 2020, although he has since finished studies at the University of Melbourne in the Bachelor Of Commerce. ^{[4] [5]}

Awards and Nominations

Year	Award	Result
2022	Young Australian of the Year	Nominated [6]
2022	Premiers Sustainability Award	Won [7]
2023	Banksia Foundation Young Changemakers Award (as Alex Makes Meals)	Won [8]
2024	Forbes 30 under 30 - Asia	Recognised on the list [9]
2024	Young Melbournian of the Year	Won [10]

References

1. "Meet the 20-year-old making meals for our frontline health workers". Australian Broadcasting Corporation . 5 May 2020.
2. Maguire, Mercedes. "Thanks A Million campaign: Alex Makes Meals founder Alex Dekker nominated". Herald Sun.
3. "How a 20-year-old quit uni to make 55,000 free meals for medicos in Melbourne's lockdown". SBS Language. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
4. "From lasagne for his doctor sister to thousands of meals for health workers". SBS Food. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
5. Nobel, Emma (2024-11-06). "Alex Dekker". FBE Centenary. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
6. "Alex Dekker | Australian of the Year".
7. "Premier's Sustainability Awards – 2022 winners and finalists". Sustainability Victoria. Retrieved 2024-12-27.
8. "National Winners and Finalists 2023".
9. "Meet the Australians on Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list for 2024". 16 May 2024.
10. "City's finest crowned at Melbourne Awards". 10 November 2024.