In the heart of Wynnum, St Pete’s Pantry has grown into a vibrant community hub offering wraparound services for people doing it tough. What began as a small shelf stocked with basic tinned food has transformed into a centre that provides free food hampers, a breakfast club, housing and placement support, free haircuts, a thrift shop, and even access to showers and laundry facilities. But above all, St Pete’s Pantry is a welcoming place where people can find comfort, connection, and a supportive community.

Rhonda, the Pantry Coordinator, explains that the team puts careful thought into the food they provide. “ We give that out with pasta, pasta sauce and more so they can make a full meal.”

On Monday mornings, the hall comes alive with the smell of toasted sandwiches and freshly brewed tea and coffee for the weekly breakfast club. Around 40 to 50 people gather, not just for a meal, but also to access other essential services and connect with one another. Food hampers are then available on Mondays and Wednesdays, ensuring people leave with more than just food – they leave with a sense of care.

Rhonda describes how they tailor their support to meet the unique challenges of their community. “ We’re interested in the basics. We give out a meal here on a Monday, which is breakfast. After that Monday and Wednesday, we hand out food parcels. There’s cans of baked beans, cans of spaghetti, little tins of tuna and things like that. Things that people who are living on the street can open like a rip top can. We can give them sausages that they can cook on the barbecue.”

But food is only part of the story. With housing in short supply and the rising cost of electricity and rent, many locals are struggling to make ends meet. “ There are other people here that have got their own units, but they just can’t afford to pay electricity, their rent and feed themselves properly,” Rhonda shares. 

The pantry supports people from Acacia Ridge, Yarrabilba, Sunnybank, Marsden, and surrounding areas. Many are refugees or people new to the country, while others are experiencing homelessness or struggling despite having jobs. “We have refugees, we have some homeless people, and we have also people with jobs that come here. Also, people who don’t have a permanent visa here and are not allowed to work. Lots of different people can come to the pantry,” Mali said.

Mali has seen the power of choice in creating dignity for people who visit his pantry. “If you just make a box and you give to them. Maybe there’s some stuff that they do eat and some they will not eat. Then they will throw it away. But if they can choose what they want, what is halal for them and other people, that benefits the rest of the community.”