Community Partner Story

We Care 2 Hervey Bay

In the heart of Hervey Bay, We Care 2 offers crucial assistance to address community needs amidst rising living expenses.

With picturesque coastal beaches and a gateway to K’gari, it is no wonder many call Hervey Bay home. But like many small regional cities and towns throughout Queensland, the silent epidemic of hunger is growing in many Hervey Bay households.

As a result, the need for community support continues to grow. We Care 2, a community group that supports the residents of Hervey Bay and the surrounding local areas is the helping hand many need to survive from week to week. They aim to ‘offer a rounded service to the community, not just with food but, with caring staff and volunteers who have a heart to help those in need and listen to those who are struggling.’

To achieve this aim, We Care 2, an initiative of New Life Chrisitan Church, has built a centre for community care services that provides service users with comprehensive support. As Office Manager, Tamara explained, “We extend a helping hand to our community and we have five different areas. We’ve got our low-cost food centre, which Foodbank are awesome at helping with us providing food for.” The Low Cost Food Centre is open to low-income earners with concession cards, senior card holders, pensioners, and self-funded retirees.

In addition to their Extra Choice Low Cost Food Centre, We Care 2 runs a Community Connect Food Van, which provides free breakfasts on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

The third program is counselling where service users can attend free appointments with a qualified counsellor, specialising in grief, trauma, and crisis.

The fourth program offered by We Care 2 is Emergency Relief Appointments, which includes food, pharmacy, and fuel vouchers as well as emergency travel. Those accessing Emergency Relief appointments have changed in recent years, as Tamara explained, “We are finding even with our emergency relief that a lot of people are coming through and some of them have double incomes.”

Lastly, the Centre’s latest initiative is the Sunshine Van, which is a van that has hot showers, a clothes-washing facility, and a phone charging port. The need for this new offering came from the housing crisis and increased homelessness growing in Hervey Bay. With many people moving to the area without any support or family, they rely on We Care 2 for crucial support to thrive in the Hervey Bay region. As a result, We Care 2 has had to increase its emergency relief services, specifically having many tents on hand ready to provide shelter for those in need. As Tamara explained,

“The population has just exploded, and accommodation is really hard to get because people are now living in their investment properties and people are migrating from down south to up here. There are not as many rental properties available. People are also being evicted because the house is sold or the owner’s living in the house now, and they’ve got nowhere else to go, there’s not enough accommodation available, and then because of that explosion, the rent has increased.” – Tamara

With the increase in rent for many, We Care 2 has seen that those seeking relief range from individuals to families. Families typically have both parents in work, as Tamara explained,

“They might not be on a large income, but they’re both working. But that’s still not enough to cover the high rent and all the other costs of living. They’re struggling from week to week to be able to afford stuff.”

These families face a relentless cycle of financial stress, where even the smallest unexpected expense can tip the balance into crisis. The burden of high rent and living costs leaves them with little room to save or plan for the future. Thankfully, We Care 2 is there to lend a helping hand. Created from the heart to help people get through the pressures that they are in, to inspire and equip them for better outcomes in their lives, We Care 2 has helped many Queenslanders through crisis.

“The main success story we hear is just people who come in and say, ‘Thank you. Without you guys, I don’t know where I’d be. I don’t know how I’d be able to feed my family. I don’t know where my next steps would be.” – Tamara

Beyond providing immediate relief, We Care 2 aims to foster a sense of community and support. It’s a place where people can find not just material assistance, but also hope and guidance for a better future.

“The low-cost food is really helpful to pensioners, One lady, her rent was going up $50 a week. She can’t afford that, and her pension is not increasing so she has nowhere else for this money to come from. They rely on our food services and other things to be able to just get them through every week.”

This kind of assistance is crucial for those on fixed incomes, who often face impossible choices between essential needs like food and housing. This would not be possible without the partnership with Foodbank Queensland. Through Foodbank Queensland, We Care 2 can stock their extra choices of low-cost food centre, ensuring a steady supply of essential items. This collaboration allows them to offer affordable food options to those in need.

“Together we can make a difference,” a favourite catchphrase of We Care 2, is especially appropriate given the relationship between Foodbank Queensland and We Care 2 working together to feed Queenslanders in need.

Together, with the help of your donations, both Foodbank Queensland and We Care 2 can continue to support Queenslanders. If you are in a position to help Foodbank Queensland provide more food across the state to support Queenslanders in need, please consider joining the fight against hunger as a regular giver.

Mike’s Story

Mike* and his family know that without food you can only focus on survival.

Accidents can see your life change in a heartbeat, seeing your income disappear in an instant. Without a steady income, how could you afford food?

Having moved from New Zealand, Mike was amazed at the salary and work available in Australia. This high quickly fell to a low after being dropped from 40 hours to 25 hours of work per week. Life threw more curveballs after Mike had a serious accident. Mike was unable to work for four months, which saw him fall behind on his rental payments. As a result, Mike, his wife Jenny, and their three children, aged 7, 11, and 13, were evicted from their long-term rental property. Their lives were turned upside down in an instant.

“Looking back at the house, looking at what we were and what we are now. It was a big gap. It was disappointing that I had let my family and my partner down and myself down.” – Mike

With nowhere to go, and with three children lost and confused, living became solely focused on survival. Where would they sleep? What would they eat? They had lost hope. The children showed incredible resilience but not knowing where their next meal would come from was hard.

“When I don’t have enough food, it affects my schoolwork cause I’m always tired and I want to sleep.” – Mike’s Daughter

Mike faced impossible choices, like choosing between paying for school supplies or buying food for his family. But without food, Mike knew he and his family could not survive. Their struggle wasn’t just about hunger; it was about coping with uncertainty and trying to provide during tough times.

“We were finding it hard on a daily basis to put food on the table, to make sure the kids had enough food to survive…I lost a lot of weight with stress, I mean I couldn’t eat and I couldn’t sleep. You’ve got things such as excursions, books, and school fees, you’re weighing up like do I get this, or do I get food? And you’ve got to think about it, that without food, you’re not going to survive.” – Mike

Mike and his family found their hope at a Foodbank Member Charity, where they could access heavily discounted groceries and other essential items. This Foodbank Member Charity’s food hampers were made up of food collected from Foodbank Queensland. These food hampers became a vital lifeline for Mike and his family.

“We need the groceries at a minimum price, we needed that food to survive. So, I could focus on all the other bills that we needed to pay. Before we’d be living on baked beans and spaghetti and noodles. Then we had meat, we had veggies…and it would fill up the pantry for that week and the kids would be happy.” – Mike

Being able to save money at the checkout allowed Mike and his family to get back on their feet. They were once again empowered. The children were provided with healthy and nutritious meals, meaning once again they could focus on schoolwork. Mike explained, “Food makes the kids happy because they know they’ve got something in their stomachs. It’s having the ability to actually feed your children and seeing them eat and be stronger and nourish their little minds.” – Mike

Even Mike himself is now going to work every day with a full stomach, choosing not to skip breakfast, Mike said, “I’d leave home early, I wouldn’t have breakfast. But now I have breakfast before I go to work, and it makes it a lot easier.”

Mike and his family have moved from just surviving to truly thriving. Thanks to Foodbank Queensland’s Member Charity, they now have a home where they can make new happy memories over delicious meals. Today, Mike is pleased to say that, “Instead of, where are we going to get the next meal? Or what are we going to eat? Instead of baked beans, we have dessert and, you know, a decent-sized meal. The kids absolutely love it.”

Thanks to the incredible support of the Foodbank Member Charity, Mike and his family were able to get back on their feet. Mike cannot express his thanks to Foodbank and when asked what he would say to those thinking of donating, “Without your support, Foodbank won’t be able to do what they’re doing every day. And provide for charities that people need in their lives. The more support Foodbank gets, it’s going to make a massive difference in everybody’s lives.” – Mike

Thanks to Foodbank Queensland’s supporters, families like Mike’s have access to fresh and nutritious food. If you are in a position to help Foodbank Queensland provide more food across the state to support Queenslanders in need, please consider joining the fight against hunger as a regular giver.

* Names and images have been changed for privacy.

Foodbank Queensland Funding to Help Queenslanders in Need

Foodbank Queensland, the state’s largest hunger relief charity, welcomes the Queensland Government’s recent budget announcement, which includes funding to increase essential food relief operations.

The funding from the Queensland Government, announced in the State Budget, will contribute to the establishment of a second facility and a new regional distribution point.

“We are thrilled that the Queensland Government has prioritised support for a second food distribution facility in Brisbane and a new distribution point in Townsville,” says Jess Watkinson, Chief Executive Officer of Foodbank Queensland.

“This investment in expanding our facilities will enable us to assist more Queenslanders in need. The rising cost-of-living has significantly increased the number of Members, schools and communities requiring food relief.”

Foodbank Queensland’s ability to provide more food to those in need is limited by the size of its current Food Distribution Centre. Built 28 years ago, the 1,800sqm facility initially distributed 1 million kilograms of food annually. Today, Foodbank Queensland distributes around 14 million kilograms of food each year, but due to the current facility size is simply unable to source and distribute more food.

“Our highly efficient team has managed to operate within our small facility for some time, but with the growing needs of Queenslanders, we can no longer support everyone who requires help. This funding will enable us to expand across Queensland, allowing us to increase our distribution to 18 million kilograms of food per year once finalised,” says Jess Watkinson.

This expansion will allow Foodbank Queensland to provide 32.4 million meals to Queenslanders in need each year. This includes School Breakfast Programs being provided to 400 schools, 16,000 Food for Kids hampers prepared for families in need, and 300 pallets of food and essentials delivered in response to Queensland disasters each year.

“Amid the current cost-of-living crisis, the demand for food relief in Queensland has reached unprecedented levels. We are thrilled that the State Budget has prioritised support for food relief services, including our sector colleagues OzHarvest and SecondBite, and we know that Queenslanders in need will greatly benefit from this additional support,” says Jess Watkinson.

The Miles Government’s State Budget has also allocated $15 million for the School and Community Food Relief Program. Foodbank Queensland looks forward to partnering with schools to enhance School Breakfast Programs, ensuring that Queensland children have access to a nutritious breakfast, giving them a strong start to the day.

For further information on Foodbank Queensland’s food relief services, please visit www.foodbank.org.au/qld

Allianz Partners teams up with Foodbank Australia to improve international students’ well being

Allianz Partners has partnered with Foodbank Australia to help alleviate the burden of financial hardship and food insecurity among international students studying in Australia.

This year Allianz Partners and Foodbank will host seven market-style events on campuses across Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. The partnership will help more than 3,300 students this year, providing over $120,000 of food. At each event, international students will be given the opportunity to receive up to $50 worth of food, which could include items such as fresh fruit, vegetables, staples such as pasta and rice, and frozen nutritious ready-made meals.

The partnership follows a report from Monash University (2023), highlighting the financial pressures faced by international students. The study reveals a concerning trend of financial strain, particularly in accessing nutritious food, leading to deteriorating mental and physical wellbeing across the nation.

Miranda Fennell, Executive Head of Health and Foodbank Ambassador, said this partnership is a proactive step towards improving the wellbeing of international students studying in Australia, amid rising hardship.

“The rising cost of living has led international students to rely on charitable organisations to meet their most basic needs, emphasising the need for further support,” Miranda Fennell said.

“We want to ensure the wider international student community is receiving the support they need so they can focus on their education and fully experience living in Australia,” added Fennell.

Foodbank Australia CEO, Brianna Casey said there is a reported1 correlation between hunger and concentration.

“We know it becomes more difficult to concentrate and focus when you are hungry which ultimately affects the ability to learn. University is hard enough without having the added pressure of not knowing where your next meal is coming from. This partnership with Allianz Partners will enable many university students up and down the eastern seaboard to have access to nutritious food,” said Ms Casey.

This partnership also builds on Allianz Partners’ culture of assistance with employees getting regular hands-on volunteering opportunities at Foodbank Australia sites across Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland.

Foodbank Queensland Faces Perfect Storm as Demand Soars

Foodbank Queensland, the state’s largest hunger relief charity, is facing a perfect storm as the demand for food assistance skyrockets, while food donations plummet. This is placing immense strain on the charities’ ability to meet the needs of vulnerable communities across Queensland.

Rising cost-of-living expenses has led to a surge in the number of individuals and families seeking essential food relief. At the same time, Foodbank Queensland is grappling with a decline in food donations, which is impacting their ability to provide crucial support to those in need.

Farmers, who play a vital role in supplying excess stock to Foodbank Queensland, are dealing with their own financial pressures. As their costs escalate, farmers are finding themselves unable to contribute as much produce, impacting Foodbank Queensland’s ability to provide this fresh, nutritious food to Queenslanders facing hunger.

“The current situation presents a perfect storm for food insecurity in Queensland,” says Jess Watkinson, Chief Executive Officer of Foodbank Queensland.

“Last week we lost the support of Cross Family Farms due to the rising cost-of-living challenges. A generous farming family who supplied more than 1 million kilograms of farm fresh food to Foodbank Queensland per year. We are experiencing a significant increase in the number of Members, schools and communities who require food relief. However, the decline in food donations, particularly fresh produce from our generous Queensland farmers, is hampering our efforts to address this growing crisis.”

Almost half of the food donated to Foodbank Queensland is fresh fruit and vegetables from Queensland farmers. Last financial year, Foodbank Queensland rescued $37 million worth of fresh produce, which was provided to thousands of families in need at no cost.

Despite ongoing efforts to secure additional donations and support, Foodbank Queensland is struggling to provide enough food to the Members, schools and communities that rely on the essential food and grocery staples that Foodbank Queensland provides.

“We urge individuals, business owners and community organisations to help at this critical time,” says Jess.

“With their support, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who are facing hunger. Every contribution, whether a donation to Foodbank to help us source more food or a donation of food direct to your local charity, has the power to alleviate hunger and help those in need.”

Foodbank Queensland is committed to recognising their valued food donors and are supporting a National Food Donation Tax Incentive that would encourage more food donations.

“We support a new tax incentive for food donations to encourage food producers, manufacturers and retailers to donate more stock. The current tax regulation treats donating as no different to dumping,” says Jess.

“A National Food Donation Tax Incentive would support primary producers and other service providers who are committed to the reduction of food waste and to supporting Queensland households experiencing food insecurity.”

Foodbank Queensland remains committed to providing essential food relief to communities across the state.

To support Queenslanders in need, please visit www.foodbank.org.au to donate directly, or, to find a local charity who accepts food donations by using the Foodbank “Find Food” map.

CEQ and Foodbank Queensland announce strategic partnership to combat hunger in Far North Queensland

Remote store operator Community Enterprise Queensland (CEQ) and Foodbank Queensland (FBQ) have partnered to tackle food insecurity on Cape York Peninsula and in the Torres Strait.

The joint Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) solidifies the commitment of both organisations to collaborate in achieving the shared goal of increasing food security and reducing hunger in the region.

The first MoU initiative launched is the School Breakfast Program, which started in Term 1 this year and involves 14 remote Far North Queensland (FNQ) remote schools.

The program provides breakfast to remote school students, aligning with CEQ’s Nutrition and Wellbeing Strategy 2023-2027 and Board commitment to support initiatives to improve nutrition and wellbeing in the communities it serves.

Key objectives outlined in the MoU include:

Collaboration: Both CEQ and FBQ will work together in identifying opportunities to collaborate and address food insecurity in FNQ.

Recognition of food insecurity: Undertake joint advocacy to address needs of the remote communities, being access to healthy, nutritious food.

Promotion of partnership and project: Increase awareness of CEQ and FBQ’s initiatives within the communities and promote to remote families.

CEQ Chief Executive Officer Michael Dykes said the collaboration between CEQ and FBQ marked a significant step towards creating sustainable solutions in the region, with a shared commitment to alleviate hunger and promote food security.

“The MoU is an exciting announcement and further reaffirms CEQ’s aim to support healthier, more sustainable communities,” he said.

“We are excited about the collaborative potential that this partnership brings, with the School Breakfast Program the first joint initiative with Foodbank Queensland, with many more to come.

“Through our ‘Good Pasin'(give back) program we cover the cost of freight from Cairns for the food provided by Foodbank Queensland, ensuring that nutritious breakfast products reach schools and communities throughout FNQ.

“This aligns seamlessly with our Board’s broader mission to support wellbeing, health, and nutrition, and educate future generations, in the regions we serve.”

Jess Watkinson, Chief Executive Officer of Foodbank Queensland, is excited to be working with CEQ to work towards addressing food insecurity in some remote communities.

“Foodbank Queensland is honoured to join forces with CEQ in our shared commitment to address hunger and improve nutrition in Far North Queensland,” she said.

“This strategic partnership allows us to leverage our strengths and resources to make a significant impact on the lives of children and young people, working towards a future where no one goes hungry.

“The positive impact of School Breakfast Programs on school attendance, and improved learning outcomes are well known, as well as promoting healthy eating habits to students.”

For more information on CEQ, visit www.ceqld.org.au

For more information on Foodbank Queensland, visit www.foodbank.org.au and select Queensland

Foodbank Queensland welcomes new CEO

We are pleased to announce, and officially welcome, Foodbank Queensland’s new Chief Executive Officer, Jess Watkinson!

Jess is joining Foodbank Queensland at an exciting time, as we work towards our 5-year strategic goal of creating a sustainable, nutritious, and dignified food and grocery safety net for Queenslanders in need.

This last year has been one of striving to meet the increase in demand for our services. Our ability to provide food relief for vulnerable people has been impacted by housing and accommodation affordability plummeting, and cost of living pressures increasing significantly. However, despite the pressures, we continue to keep our eye on the future and how we can support our Member Charities and their communities better, while also rising to the challenge of alleviating the distress experienced by a growing number of people.

Jess comes to Foodbank with over 20 years’ experience in Government and non-profit roles, having supported many organisations with capacity building, strategy development and growth, and is excited to be part of such an important organisation.

I love working with passionate people, who together want to make a difference. I am looking forward to collaborating with our staff, volunteers, supporters and Member Charities to maximise our impact as we strive towards a Queensland without hunger. All of my life experience – professional, personal and as a volunteer – will help me in being the best leader I can be for Foodbank. – Jess Watkinson

Jess officially commenced with Foodbank Queensland on May 31 2023.

Sheryl’s Story

A proud single mum going hungry to feed her sons

Right now, with the cost-of-living crisis continuing to push household costs through the roof, hardworking mums like Sheryl need your help more than ever.

Latest figures show that households with children are being hit hard by the hunger problem sweeping our state. And it’s single-parent families who are feeling the pressure most of all. Sadly, as many as 37% of single parent families are going hungry, sometimes going whole days without eating.

Sheryl* knows exactly how hard things have become. She does everything she can to provide for her three growing sons. But, as a single mum, it’s not easy. Especially not right now.

Spiralling fuel and grocery prices mean that, after she’s paid the bills and filled the car with petrol to get to work, there’s not enough left over for her whole family to eat properly.

Up until now, she’s managed to put food on the table. But, like so many other hard-working parents, she’s been secretly skipping meals to make sure there’s enough for her kids.

“Some weeks, I might only have one or two evening meals. That way, I have more meat and vegetables and things like that for the boys. You 100% go without so that you know you’ve got things for your children.” – Sheryl

It’s what any mum would do to make sure her kids have what they need to grow up healthy and strong. But, with the cost-of-living crisis set to get even worse this year – and groceries getting even more expensive – Sheryl’s now incredibly worried about the future.

What’s worse, for many parents like Sheryl, the guilt and shame of not being able to provide for their kids stops them asking for help.

As food prices soar, there are more and more families on the edge of requiring assistance. We know from bitter experience that the number of people needing help to put food on the table is about to skyrocket. We need to be ready.

Sheryl is just one of thousands of parents who are faking a smile for their kids. She’s trying to raise three boys – 15-year-old Sean*, 13-year-old Connor* and 8-year-old Callum*. She works all the hours she can, juggling a 9 to 5 job with the pressures of being a full-time mum. But, on a single income, it’s a major challenge to give the boys everything they need. And, as anyone who’s ever lived with teenagers will understand, providing enough food for fast-growing kids is one of the biggest challenges of all.

“It’s nothing for them to do a loaf of bread, if not two loaves of bread in a day. I’m just constantly talking to the kids about, ‘Food’s got to last.’ I’ve even said to them, ‘I’m going to have to start putting food away and drip-feed it to you.’” – Sheryl

Sheryl wishes she had a pantry full of fresh, nutritious food for the boys to enjoy. It breaks her heart when she has to limit what they can eat. But, with the price of food going through the roof, she just doesn’t have any choice.

“We really need to make the food that I purchase last, because there’s just not the money there to continually go out and replace it.” – Sheryl

Like so many parents pushed to the very edge, Sheryl’s found out that the family is only ever one unexpected expense away from a financial crisis.

“I had some big maintenance happen around the house. Hot water service and things like that. That took the savings. Then there’s back-to-school. You have three kids needing two pairs of shoes each. I’m not going to send my kids to school with bare feet, but that’s a massive chunk of money that we just don’t have.” – Sheryl

No parent should ever be put in this awful situation. Sheryl’s situation got so bad that she started going without food so that there was more for her boys. It’s something we’ve been hearing a lot of lately. More and more desperate parents are going from worrying about food to reducing meal sizes – and finally cutting out meals altogether.

Sheryl managed to hide from her children that she was missing meals – but she couldn’t keep it secret forever.

“My really close girlfriend who I work with realised something was up by noticing I wasn’t eating at work. She would make me call in and get leftovers from her family meals and she delivered some groceries to my front door.” – Sheryl

That’s when Sheryl realised things couldn’t go on the way they were: “I needed to put my hand up and say that, ‘Hey, I was struggling.’”

Your generosity can provide fresh food and pantry staples for so many struggling families like Sheryl’s. She’s optimistic about the future and hopes she’ll get a promotion at work, which will help to ease the strain. In the meantime, she knows just how much of a difference your contribution could make.

“Your generosity can help a family that is really, really trying to do everything they can every single day just to keep their head above water.” – Sheryl

Every $1 you donate provides two nutritious meals to someone facing hunger like Sheryl.

*Sheryl is a real Aussie in need. Names have been changed to protect privacy.

Help feed hungry Queensland families like Sheryl’s

A message from Foodbank Queensland CEO

To all of our valued supporters, I have recently made the difficult decision to step down as CEO after three years at the helm, with my last day being 27 April 2023.

My time as CEO at Foodbank Queensland has been full of wonderful challenges, lots of learnings and many incredible partnerships. Over these past few years, Foodbank Queensland has undertaken a rare cultural and operational transformation. Foodbank continues to go from strength to strength and is a wonderful place to work. There are some exciting elements of strategy coming to fruition for Foodbank Queensland, and with a strong leadership team and our community of Queensland supporters, I believe it will be a joyful role for a new CEO to come into.

I am proud to have been part of such an incredible team working tirelessly and passionately to give food and hope to thousands of Queenslanders in need every week. I will continue working with the team and the Board to ensure a smooth transition to a new leader. As for my next move, after many years as a CEO, I am moving on to pursue my passion areas of executive coaching and Board directorship.

Thank you for your continued generosity commitment to Foodbank. Thanks to your kindness, we can continue feeding Queenslanders in need every day.

– Sara Harrup, Foodbank Queensland CEO

A Snapshot of Foodbank Queensland’s Journey Since 2020

The Foodbank team wishes to thank departing CEO Sara Harrup for her leadership. Here’s what we have achieved together since Sara commenced in early 2020.

We increased our impact

Feeding Families – 77 million meals created for Queenslanders in need
Saving Food – 39 million kgs of food saved from landfill
Saving Water – 2,600 Olympic swimming pools of water conserved
Saving the Planet – 780,000 petrol tanks worth of emission saved

Metrics from February 2020 to February 2023

We set a new strategic direction

In the last three years, Sara Harrup has worked with the Foodbank Queensland team and the Board to implement many large projects with very disciplined strategy execution. A strategic goal was set to create a sustainable, nutritious, and dignified food and safety net for Queenslanders in need.

Foodbank Queensland Chair Mike Hill said Sara Harrup has successfully transformed Foodbank Queensland’s operations to be even more efficient and effective and is leaving the organisation in a wonderful place with a five-year strategy underway.

If we reflect on what Foodbank Queensland was like when Sara Harrup arrived and where it is today, Sara’s achievements have been immense and the legacy profound. Sara has guided Foodbank Queensland through considerable change and challenged the status quo, which has required the patience and support of our employees, volunteers, food donors and Member Charities. Sara leaves a proud record knowing that Foodbank Queensland today is a much more capable organisation ready to meet the rising demand for our services, to respond to emergency weather events, and to also prepare us for the implementation of many more necessary projects on the horizon. – Mike Hill, Chair

Forming a strong team to lead Foodbank forward

Sara Harrup built a strong Senior Leadership Team and broader Foodbank team, engaging with experts in their fields and making hard decisions to help us achieve our vision of a Queensland without hunger. The team have brought incredible collective knowledge to the organisation and have really pushed Foodbank Queensland into very contemporary ways of working. Foodbank Queensland Head of People and Culture Jill Mee said Sara Harrup has led and coached the Senior Leadership Team to achieve the extraordinary.

Sara Harrup draws on the expertise around her to achieve and go beyond the strategic goals set. She makes you better at your job, and personally invests in every person; she pushes, challenges, is always curious and celebrates when we achieve what we set out to . Often what comes out of our achievements is another set of goals because of her drive for continuous improvement. Sara operates from a place of deep empathy, authenticity, and kindness, with an overlay of fairness, justice, and accountability. Sara has transformed Foodbank Queensland in three years, and she has done that by enabling everyone to perform at their very best. – Jill Mee, Head of People and Culture

We welcomed new volunteers

Since early 2020, we have welcomed hundreds of incredible volunteers, building a strong, aligned volunteer team who have contributed significantly to the work of Foodbank Queensland. “Choosing to volunteer for Foodbank Queensland was one of the best decisions I’ve made. The people are lovely, the work is interesting, and it is a great cause. I found it so rewarding that I recently encouraged my husband to consider volunteering as well.” – Louise, Volunteer. “The overwhelming positives that I feel from volunteering at Foodbank are the gratitude and respect that are afforded to all the volunteers. This culture is demonstrated by all levels of management and is obvious to all workers, volunteers and clients.” – Margaret, Volunteer

Sara has a strong track record of championing volunteering and a deep understanding of the value volunteers bring to an organisation and its culture. Over the last three years as CEO, Sara spearheaded systematic transformation of the volunteer program to align with the values and principles defined in the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement. Under her stewardship, we saw a robust, resilient, integrated, inclusive and values-led volunteer program emerge to support Foodbank Queensland through the ups and downs of COVID-19, the 2022 floods and planned organisational transformation. – Ryan Wright, Strategy and Innovation Lead

We embarked on a digital transformation

Under Sara Harrup’s leadership, Foodbank Queensland has gone from a paper based, person led organisation, to one that has solid processes, information sharing and consistency. The implementation of workforce management software and business management software, as well as the rebuild of our customer relationship management software has created incredible efficiencies at Foodbank Queensland.

The recent implementation of an online ordering system at Foodbank Queensland has transformed the way we work. Our receivals, dispatch and storage processes have all been digitalised with each food delivery being completed via a radio frequency (RF) scanner. At our Food Distribution Centre, food pallets are now tracked, food pallet bays are location controlled, and we have RF scanners telling our forklift drivers where to go to find and place food items. This has streamlined our processes, enabling us to distribute more food to those in need. – Nathan Gregory, Operations Manager

We became a culturally safety centric organisation

Sara Harrup has led Foodbank Queensland’s Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) system into a place where we are now at an incredibly high standard consistent with The International Organisation of Standards (ISO). Foodbank Queensland Chief Operating Officer Saul Martinez said Foodbank has developed a robust program for the care and wellbeing of all workplace participants.

Sara’s uncompromised commitment to offering all staff, volunteers and visitors a safe workplace has resulted in the establishment of a comprehensive suite of integrated policies, procedures, training programs, and whole of organisation discussion forums. This is demonstrated when as part of day-to-day activities, stakeholders actively participate and raise concerns with the confidence that they will be heard and their feedback valued. On multiple occasions, third party auditors and government officials have recognised and commended the high standards of our system and our proactiveness and disposition for continuous improvement. Sara’s leadership has been central to these achievements. – Saul Martinez, Chief Operating Officer

We built new relationships – Thank you to our partners!

Thank you to all our incredible supporters for your continued generosity. In the last three years we have built so many strong partnerships, supporting multilevel relationships with partners including government, corporate partners, philanthropists and people who provide probono support. Each and every partnership has been vital in helping us get more food out the door to Queenslanders who need it most. MinterEllison is one of our partners who has helped Foodbank Queensland evolve:

It has been energising for us to work alongside Sara Harrup and the team at Foodbank Queensland over the last three years of transformation for the organisation, providing our people with the opportunity to use their legal and technology skills to assist Foodbank Queensland in its journey, even in the face of challenges brought about by floods and the pandemic. We are very grateful that Sara introduced us to Foodbank Queensland and so ably developed and led our partnership – one that is now firmly embedded with us. – Robert Reed OAM, MinterEllison

And thank you to our Member Charities!

Foodbank’s Member Charities play a vital role in the fight against hunger in our state. That’s why they have been at the heart of every decision we have made to ensure we help even more Queenslanders facing hardship. Foodbank Queensland Member Engagement Manager Therese O’Conner said we couldn’t support so many people in need without our wonderful community of Member Charities.

In the last few years, we have grown to service 350 frontline charities and 300 schools across the state, providing essential food and groceries to support their critical food relief programs. It’s our Member Charities’ tireless work that motivates us, informs us and keeps us striving to be better. Working together, we can give food and hope to thousands of struggling Queenslanders every week. – Therese O’Connor, Member Engagement Manager

How your flood donation has helped – 1 year on!

The 2022 Queensland floods were some of the worst floods Queensland has seen in modern times – leaving thousands in our community displaced, without electricity and without food or water.

A year ago, we asked for your help with a simple proposition: to get as much food and fresh drinking water as possible to those in need, and you answered the call. Thank you for being there for your community in such a time of need.

Thanks to your generosity, in the last 12 months, enough food was distributed for over 412,000 meals to flood affected communities seeking help. Thank you for the vital role you played in this remarkable feat. Knowing where their next meal is coming from can have such an impact on those dealing with the lasting effects of the floods.

At the time of the floods, we shared stories from some of Foodbank Queensland’s incredible Member Charities, including Victory Church Care Services. You may remember the devastating images of their food relief facility in disarray, where fresh produce was lining the ceiling after flood waters filled the entire building.

Victory Care Services Manager Ray Hill relayed how your support helped, and continues to help, the Gympie community:

“Our Victory Care Service in Gympie, which provides food for 120 families every week, went under water in the biggest flood in 120 years. Like many families in the town, we lost everything except our building. The community rallied around us and after a couple of months and a lot of hard work and donations, we were up and running again. Our Victory Care Service was missed and was welcomed back by a grateful community. We thank the community for their support and also Foodbank for their generosity with the supply of food donations, contributing to our ongoing service in the community. I thank all involved.”

This is just one of the hundreds of stories from communities you’ve helped by standing by them during their time of need.

By pitching in and donating to get food to where it was needed most, you gave hope to communities who had lost everything. While the floods can cause devastation in only minutes, hours and days, the road to recovery can take years, with many families still rebuilding what they lost. That’s why, with your support, Foodbank Queensland continues to work hard to support these impacted communities.

Foodbank Queensland is putting your donations to work every day, serving the community now and preparing for a more sustainable future. We truly couldn’t feed so many Queenslanders in need without you.

If you are in a position to help Foodbank Queensland on an ongoing basis to provide more food across the state to support Queenslanders in need, please consider joining the fight against hunger as a regular giver.