In the beautiful Atherton Tablelands, distance is part of everyday life. Communities are spread across wide landscapes, and travelling between towns can take time and planning. For families seeking extra food support, those journeys can be long – especially as fuel costs rise and daily living expenses increase. That’s why Better Together Atherton works hand in hand with Foodbank Queensland to make sure everyone has access to nourishing food close to home.

At the heart of Better Together’s emergency relief program is a simple, compassionate belief: food is a basic human right, and community reaching out when in need is exactly what they are there for.

Better Together offer a number of different ways to access food support, all of which are welcoming and free. Community Pantry is a weekly event where people can access the ‘mini-supermarket’, taking home two bags of groceries including meat, dairy and fresh fruit and vegetables at no cost. The approach is gentle and respectful – steady support that people can rely on, with a social boost to combat isolation and loneliness.

The Pantry is only one part of a wider network of care designed to meet people where they are. With Emergency Relief both in house and via outreach, food naturally becomes the starting point for connection – the one thing we all have in common, breaking across culture, language and address.

“Whether we provide a hot meal at Pantry, or a sausage sizzle at the park on outreach, it is food that brings people together, creates conversation and builds trust and rapport between clients, staff and volunteers,” Amanda says, Community Development Officer at Better Together Atherton. “That social connection – that’s just as important as the food.”

Life in regional communities brings unique circumstances, and during times of natural disaster, the need for support can grow quickly. Better Together has been there in those moments, responding with care and practical help.

Through its partnership with Foodbank Queensland, Better Together is able to respond both in everyday moments and during emergencies. As a Disaster Relief Supply Point, the organisation keeps hampers and essential items ready to share when they’re needed most.

“One phone call can change everything,” Amanda recalls. “When we were notified of the disaster activation recently, Better Together was tasked to provide material and community support to communities who had lost everything. We were out there and, on the ground, ASAP.”

“Foodbank Queensland really helps us reach further,” Amanda says. “We’re a hub, and then we disperse it out to the community.”

This partnership also ensures good food is thoughtfully distributed – from pantry shelves to School Breakfast Programs and community meals – so it can make the greatest difference.

Inside the centre, something powerful continues to grow: connection.

“It really brought a community together,” Amanda says. “If someone doesn’t show up for pantry one week, people check on each other. They call. That’s the community.”

After more than 40 years of service, Better Together continues to listen and evolve, guided by the voices of local people and the needs they share.

“Our mission is to support the community with the services they actually need,” Amanda says. “And to make sure people don’t have to reach absolute crisis before they ask for help.”

Together with Foodbank Queensland, Better Together Community Support in Atherton continues to nurture connection, strengthen resilience, and ensure that every member of the Atherton Tablelands community has access to nourishing food and caring support.

What began in a garage in Redbank Plains has quickly grown into something much bigger – a place where choice and community sit at the centre of every interaction.

For founders, Lisa and Stewart, the idea behind Acorn Pantry was never just about food. It was about recognising how quickly life can change, and how easily people can lose control over everyday decisions when money becomes tight.

“Often choice is the first thing people lose when they are counting their pennies,” Lisa says.

That belief shapes the way Acorn Pantry operates. Rather than pre‑packed bags or rigid systems, people are invited to shop in a space that feels familiar – shelves stocked with fresh produce, bread and pantry staples, priced simply and clearly.

The pantry offers a selection of fruit and vegetables, all available for people to pick themselves. One of the volunteers suggested that they should pre-bag the produce. Lisa shared she said no, “If the person coming in can choose their own lemons like any other grocery store, that is the whole point.”

After starting out from home, demand grew quickly. Word spread through the community, not through advertising but through people telling others about a place that treated them with respect.

“We started in our garage at Redbank Plains and it just got really busy,” Lisa says.

Moving into a dedicated space allowed Acorn Pantry to welcome even more people – families, pensioners, carers and individuals who might not otherwise access food support.

At Acorn Pantry, success is defined by the difference made in people’s lives, not financial figures. The focus is on how many individuals and families are reached and supported.

“We are working on how many people we’re helping rather than how much money we’re bringing in,” Lisa says. “For us, the growth is how many people can come through the door.”

That mindset flows through everything, from pricing to layout. With no confusing specials or complex calculations, people can shop with confidence. There are no prices ending in 99 cents or other tricks to make totals harder to figure out – every price is straightforward, so shoppers can easily keep track of their spending. “If you’ve only got $50, you can add it up in your head,” Lisa explains. “You’re already under enough stress. We want to make it easy, just a quiet, calm, happy experience.”

Community sits at the heart of Acorn Pantry, and that sense of connection shows up every day – often in unexpected ways. Volunteers come from all walks of life, many first walking through the door as customers themselves.

“You shop here, you help that person who helps that person who helps that person,” Lisa says. “It all comes back around.”

For Stewart, some of the most memorable moments have nothing to do with stock levels or logistics. “There was a carer who brought a whole group in,” he recalls. “They made a day out of the visit. They loved it.”

Those moments reinforce why Acorn Pantry exists – not just to provide food, but to create a welcoming space where people feel seen.

“People come in, they’re happy, they’re grateful, and that makes all of this worth it,” Stewart says.

Even as Acorn Pantry continues to evolve, Lisa is realistic about the challenges of growth. There is still plenty to work through, but the focus remains clear. “Everything we do, there’s a reason for it, and it’s to make it easier for the people coming in,” she says.

With the support of partners like Foodbank Queensland and a community that continues to show up for one another, Acorn Pantry is building something that goes far beyond food relief.

For nearly 20 years, Set Free Care has been quietly and consistently showing up for people on the Gold Coast – offering not just services, but safety and genuine human connection.

In the last year alone, their impact has been extraordinary. More than 10,000 meals were shared, over 4,000 showers provided and nearly 2,000 free grocery bags filled with food were placed into the hands of people who needed them most. Each number represents a person treated with respect, care and compassion.

When natural disasters have hit the Gold Coast, Set Free Care has stepped up without hesitation, opening their doors as an evacuation centre and becoming a place of refuge for people experiencing homelessness during dangerous weather events.

“Recently we were open six days and six nights, 24 hours a day. They slept in our hall because the weather was too rough,” said Ellen, Operations Manager at Set Free Care.

This work is made possible through strong community partnerships and a shared commitment to caring for others. “Without charities like Foodbank, OzHarvest and Orange Sky, we wouldn’t be able to do a lot of the work we do around here,” Ellen shared.

Run by dedicated staff and passionate volunteers, Set Free Care is a welcoming hub where many services come together under one roof. It is a place where people are known, seen and valued. Jeannie, one of Set Free Care’s committed staff sees this connection every day. “A lot of people come here every day. We pretty much know everyone who comes in and can then know who in new to the area.” New faces arrive each week, and everyone who walks through the doors is met with support, no matter their circumstances.

For many, Set Free Care becomes a lifeline during moments of deep uncertainty. “Many people can’t find their place when they start living in their car. Every week we have new people who have had to start living in their car or on the street,” Jeannie said.

What makes the centre truly special is the sense of community and shared care that grows within it. Volunteers – many with lived experience – play a powerful role in supporting others. “Lots of our volunteers have lived on the street and go out and tell them where to go. They help each other out and keep an eye on one another,” Jeannie explained.

That cycle of care can be transformative. Jeannie shared, “Some people that have come to Set Free Care have come from the street, they have connected with a rehabilitation service, then they come back and volunteer and ended up in homes.”

Today, two volunteers who are currently living on the street come in every day to support Set Free Care. “It keeps them busy and stops them from doing other stuff that they don’t want to do,” said Jeannie.

At the heart of everything is food, a powerful connector. Through daily meals, food hampers, showering facilities, an op shop and a permanent Orange Sky Laundry set-up, Set Free Care provides practical support alongside warmth and belonging. Their dining hall has become a place where people gather, connect and comfort one another, especially when facing some of life’s biggest challenges.

Through dignity-first care, strong partnerships and the tireless efforts of staff and volunteers, Set Free Care continues to make an incredible difference on the Gold Coast – reminding people that they matter, and that they are not alone.

At Loaves and Fishes Caboolture, the doors are always open, and every day, more people are walking through them.

“We’re looking at serving over 5,000 people a week who just pop in, even if it’s grabbing a couple of basics here and there,” Zoey, the Caboolture Site Manager shared.

Behind the scenes, the operation runs at full pace. Food is collected, orders are placed, shelves are replenished – and then replenished again. “Damian our truck driver collects from Foodbank every single day,” said Zoey. 

Zoey completes the ordering for both the Caboolture and Slacks Creek stores, constantly adjusting as the needs of the community continue to rise. She shared “The demand is growing. So, we’ve had to meet that need.”

What makes Loaves and Fishes special is its openness. There are no forms to prove hardship, no labels placed on people walking through the door. “There are no restrictions for who can access our pantry. Everybody is welcome to come in.” Zoey said. And they do. Elderly people, individuals, small families and large families. Some travel long distances just to access this vital support. As more people discover what Loaves and Fishes offers, demand has only continued to grow.

Zoey shared, “We have a lot more new customers. Everyone’s telling their friends.  We’ve had an increase of people in and out of the doors, which has been absolutely amazing to be able to support more people.” 

But with rising demand comes real challenges, particularly when it comes to essential items. “The demand is very high for certain items and we run low ever so quickly on stuff. It can be hard to then restock that, but we are making do,” Zoey shared. Protein is one of the hardest items to keep on the shelves, yet it’s one of the most important.

Since 2022, Zoey and her partner Damian – the truck driver – have been part of the Loaves and Fishes community, growing alongside the organisation as local needs have intensified.

The $50 hampers offered by Loaves and Fishes have become a cornerstone of support for the community, and filling them with nutritious, varied food is a priority the team takes seriously.

“Hampers are something that we do Monday to Friday, eight to four. If we’re open, hampers are available,” Zoey said.

Each hamper is more than a box of food – it’s a trolley filled with essential food and care. Pantry staples, a 5-kilogram bag of assorted protein when available, frozen vegetables, microwave meals like FareShare, and fresh fruit, vegetables and bread to finish it off.

On their busiest days, the team can create up to 80 hampers. “Our volunteers pack the trolleys and then they come out and people are beside themselves. I have people crying at times, overwhelmed by the support.” 

One story has stayed with Zoey. A new customer came in after going through a divorce. She had never known Loaves and Fishes existed. “She felt bad for coming in, thinking that she was taking from people in greater need. And I said, no, everyone’s welcome,” said Zoey. She received a hamper, shopped in the store, and then broke down in tears. Zoey walked her to her car as she shared her story – returning to study, unable to work, supporting three children on her own. “Her grocery bill has been cut by $400 weekly just by coming here and buying the hamper,” said Zoey. That saving meant she could continue her studies and pay for her education. The impact was immediate and life-changing.

For Zoey and the team, moments like this are why they do what they do. They understand that asking for help can be hard. Zoey wants everyone to know, “You are not taking from anybody. We are here to support everyone. You are helping us to grow. You are spreading the word for me which is all you need to do for me so more people can be supported.”

At Loaves and Fishes, community isn’t just welcomed, it’s built, one hamper at a time. 

For more than 19 years, The Y Queensland has partnered with Foodbank Queensland to deliver one of the state’s most essential support programs – the School Breakfast Program. Together, they ensure children across Queensland start their day with a full stomach and the energy to learn.

In the last financial year alone (FY25), The Y Queensland provided more than 2.3 million meals to schools across the state, supported by Foodbank Queensland, government funding and generous donors. Foodbank Queensland now supplies 183 of The Y Queensland’s School Breakfast Programs.

“We couldn’t supply the bread, the milk, the bananas and the Weet-Bix to schools without Foodbank’s funding for our main program,” Amanda, The Y Queensland’s School Breakfast Program Manager said. That food has a retail value of nearly half a million dollars each year. 

At the heart of this partnership is a shared belief that no child should have to face the day hungry. As Amanda, explains, the need is both urgent and ongoing. “Children can’t deal with hangry. They’ve got no way of going to a cupboard or a fridge and getting a piece of fruit or something to eat that’s simple yet healthy. With a School Breakfast Program, teachers see disruptions reduce. Some children go to school just so they’re fed.”

Behind every meal served is a story of struggle and of care. Amanda recalls one story that captures just how vital these breakfasts can be. A teacher at a Brisbane school noticed a young girl who would take her toast and disappear behind a brick wall each morning. Curiously, the teacher followed her and discovered the girl’s mother waiting there with a baby in a pram and a toddler beside her. The family was sharing that single piece of toast for breakfast. When the mother realised she’d been seen, she burst into tears, ashamed that she had been caught. But instead of judgment, the teacher offered compassion. Amanda shared, “We encourage the families and siblings of the students to join us for breakfast. The teacher just said, ‘You’re welcome every day. You and your three children can have breakfast with us.’” 

It’s moments like these that reveal the true purpose of the School Breakfast Program. It’s not only about the Vegemite on toast and bowl of cereal; it’s about community and belonging.

Karen, who has coordinated a The Y Queensland School Breakfast Program for more than 17 years, has seen the difference consistent food relief can make. She remembers when Foodbank’s partners were able to provide consistently for their programs. “When Tip Top became a partner and came in with Foodbank, it made my day. That connection solidified the program to continue,” she shared.

Karen has seen firsthand what hunger looks like in the classroom. “I’ve seen it straight up, a family of four young boys, single parent, nothing to eat. The youngest got in trouble for taking food out of the cupboard. So they were devouring breakfast at school.”

What began as a small initiative has become a lifeline for children and families across the state. The success of the program meant Karen and her team could no longer deliver breakfast themselves, but she doesn’t mind sharing, “It’s gotten too big now. And that’s okay, because more kids are getting food.” But her passion for this program only gets stronger. “I just have a passion to serve children, serve people, feed them bread, make sure they’re full. It’s a lifelong passion.”

Beyond breakfast, The Y Queensland and Foodbank Queensland also work together to provide more than 2,000 Food for Kids hampers over every school holiday period, ensuring children don’t go hungry when school kitchens close.

For Gina from The Y Queensland, the connection between breakfast and learning outcomes is undeniable. Research shared by The Kids Research Institute Australia shows that children who skip breakfast are almost twice as likely to perform poorly on NAPLAN tests. Gina explained, “it actually changes their wellbeing, helps them learn, think and perform.”

Together, The Y Queensland and Foodbank Queensland are making sure every child has what they need to thrive, not just food for the day, but the nourishment, confidence and care to build a brighter future.