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. 

For many, the Pantry is not just about meals, it’s about belonging. Rhonda, has seen firsthand the social connections it fosters. “A lot come for the comfort and the company. There are groups that form each week with the same people. It’s a really social aspect for their mental health.”

Rhonda shares how simple interactions can mean so much. “ Some people really want to get something off their chest, well they do. And I’m a buffer, I can talk to anyone, any time. You’d be surprised how you get to know people. And that’s when you know you’re getting through to people and you make them feel comfortable.”

Despite the stigma that can come with asking for help, the team at St Pete’s Pantry makes it their focus to offer dignity and warmth to everyone who walks through the doors. “ It’s very difficult for people coming here at times who are really down, and they’re too proud to ask for help,” Rhonda says.

Over the years, the organisers have witnessed countless moments of transformation. One story that has stayed with them is of a man who first passed by the Pantry, hesitant to accept help. At first, he insisted others were in greater need, but with encouragement, he accepted a food parcel and began visiting regularly. Over time, the support he received helped him regain his footing.

Eventually, the man returned to share his gratitude. He told the team that their help had lifted him up at a time when he was struggling the most. He now had accommodation, steady work, and was beginning to rebuild his life.

Hearing this was a powerful reminder of why they do what they do. As Rhonda reflects: “This man said, I’m right now. He said, you have helped me. I came here, it’s lifted me up. I’ve now got accommodation. I’ve now got a job. Without you, I wouldn’t have got it. That’s when you really feel that you’ve accomplished something. Because we get people here that have fallen over, fallen over, falling over, and can’t get up the third time. And then, with just a little help, they do.”

At St Pete’s Pantry, food is just the beginning. It’s about dignity, connection, and helping people find their way forward.

For the past 12 years, Mali has been a constant source of support and kindness at Evangelical Mission for Salvation International (EMSINT). Nearly 150 people visit him each day, with more than 1,600 families registered to access the pantry. Supported by four dedicated volunteers, Mali has created a safe and welcoming space for families in need.

Every week, Mali makes multiple trips to Foodbank Queensland’s Food Distribution Centre to collect nutritious fruit, vegetable and pantry items. It’s a visit that sets the pace for his entire day. “The first group of people, they come and wait for me in the morning,” he shared. After a short break in the middle of the day, the pantry is bustling again with families arriving after school pick-up. 

Through their membership, families can visit the EMSINT pantry to access free fruit and vegetables, fresh bread, and a low-cost range of pantry items. This model has not only helped stretch tight budgets but has also given families choice and dignity. “The thing that is very, very important is the veggies, bread, and fruit, because it is free. That is because I pick it up for free from Foodbank,” Mali explained. 

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.” 

For Mali, this work is not just a role, it’s a calling. As a Pastor, he has always felt deeply committed to serving others. “If I don’t do this, I can’t do anything else. I have done this all my life, even in Africa before coming to Australia.”

His entire community relies on his weekly collections from Foodbank Queensland. “I only collect from Foodbank, I don’t have any other suppliers or collections. So if I miss my pick up from Foodbank, then the community misses out,” he said. “If I don’t have Foodbank, all of these people who come, they will leave with no food.”

Mali’s dedication and tireless efforts ensure that families across the community not only receive the food they need but also the dignity, care and respect they deserve.