For many years, Foodbank Queensland has proudly supported the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) in their mission to help Queenslanders in need. Through our partnership, we provide food and essential groceries to 16 ADRA locations across the state, enabling their dedicated teams to deliver vital support to individuals and families doing it tough.

Every Friday, the ADRA Townsville team opens its doors for a weekly community pantry – supporting more than 800 people with food relief and kindness. But their work doesn’t stop at food. They’ve expanded to offer a full suite of wraparound services, including haircuts with Hair Aid, social work support, Orange Sky Laundry, RSPCA services, an op shop and Clothing To The Community through Thread Together, and even a book exchange. Their holistic approach creates a safe and welcoming space for people doing it tough. 

Since opening in November 2023, The Street University in Townsville has provided a safe, supportive space for more than 1,000 young people under the age of 25. Operated by the Teff Noffs Foundation and funded by Youth Justice, the service supports a wide range of young people. All are welcome, from those involved in the justice and child safety systems to those experiencing mental health challenges, homelessness, or social isolation. The Street University Coordinator, Scotty shared, “to see these kids come into the space and know that it’s somewhere safe where they can get a feed, use a computer, they can have a chat with a counselor or just kick back and feel completely safe and not have to worry about anything. It’s something special.”

Food plays a central role in the support provided at The Street University. The on-site kitchen is open daily, with freshly cooked meals available for young people to eat on-site or take home to their families. The service also distributes food hampers to young people in need, including young parents and larger family groups living under the same roof.

Initially operating with a $250 grocery budget, staff quickly found the demand far exceeded what they could supply. With support from Foodbank Queensland, the program was able to expand its food offerings. The donated food is used for daily meals, cooking workshops, and emergency hampers. “It was great to have Foodbank jump on board and give us the donation to use on more food,” Scotty said.

Inside, the space is a hub of activity and connection. A basketball court, stage, gaming and music rooms, counsellors’ offices and more. At the heart is the kitchen, led by the beloved Simone. The fridge and freezer are always stocked with pre-made meals, available for young people to enjoy anytime. Scotty shared that, “food is such a massive drawcard for these kids. They all love food.”

Cooking also provides an informal setting for young people to discuss their challenges and access additional support services, such as counselling or case management. The kids come over and ask Simone what she is cooking. She extends an invitation to lend a hand. “Not one of them has said no,” says Scotty. “It also opens up a line of communication for these young people to be a little bit vulnerable and let us know what’s going on in their life, which helps us then bring the counsellor down.”

One recent workshop saw 26 young people participate in baking apple pies. Weekly activities also include a Friday night basketball program followed by a barbecue, often cooking over 70 sausages for attendees.

Food hampers have become an essential part of how The Street University supports young people and their families. The team is able to prepare and deliver hampers filled with nutritious pantry-staple items and fresh produce. The impact of those food hampers runs deep. Scotty shared the story of a young couple, “they are 17 and 18 who have a six-week-old baby. We have given hampers to them over the past couple of weeks, which has helped them tremendously.”

Another family of six siblings regularly visits the centre. With close relationships with their extended family, The Street University will drop off food hampers. Scotty explained, “when we’re going there and we’re dropping off these big food hampers for them, just the smiles and the thank you – it almost brings a tear to your eye knowing how much they actually appreciate it.”

With around 70% of participants identifying as Indigenous Australian, the space is grounded in cultural connection too, with local Elders regularly engaging with young people.

“Having organisations like Foodbank Queensland come to Townsville is needed more and more. It will definitely help the community knowing that there are organisations out there that want to help.”

The service continues to adapt to the needs of the young people who use it, regularly updating its workshops and group sessions based on their feedback. Through consistent access to food, meaningful engagement, and trusted support, The Street University is helping young people across Townsville build stability and confidence. 

Tucked away in the tropical town of Tully, two hours north of Townsville, is Mackay’s Marketing. This fourth-generation family farming business is a proud supporter of Foodbank Queensland. Their farms produce a variety of fresh produce including bananas, avocados, and papaya, grown across several sites in Far North Queensland.

During a recent visit, the Mackay’s team welcomed Foodbank Queensland into their Tully office, proudly sharing a map of their many farms scattered throughout the region. It is a wonderful snapshot of just how deeply their roots run in the Far North. 

At their banana farm in northern Queensland, the growers work tirelessly to produce one of Australia’s most iconic fruits. Banana farming is still a remarkably hands-on process, with each bunch carefully harvested by hand. In northern Queensland, the growers also contend with tough conditions like cyclones, making banana farming a truly resilient trade. Banana plants are made up of 80% water, and each tree produces only one bunch in its lifetime – just one of many surprising facts behind this labour-intensive trade.

“Providing fresh bananas to Foodbank Queensland is one way we can give back to the community. We’re proud to help ensure Queensland families have access to healthy, nourishing food when they need it most.” – Nicholas Mackay, Mackays Marketing

Mackay’s bananas are purchased by Foodbank Queensland at growing cost to help supply fresh fruit to the School Breakfast Programs, which provides a nutritious breakfast to students who might otherwise start the day hungry.

Feeding kids provides so much more than just a meal. With a full tummy, children are better able to concentrate, participate in class, and enjoy improved learning outcomes and overall wellbeing. Each week, Foodbank’s School Breakfast Program helps over 400 Queensland schools offer cereal, milk, bread and fresh fruit, like Mackay’s bananas, to 50,000 children who would otherwise go without. 

According to Suki O’Dea, Community Programs Coordinator at Nexus Care: 

“Every week without fail, one of the admin staff from a primary school tells me their students say the Foodbank bananas are the best they’ve ever tasted. And they are very adamant about that – nothing tastes better than a Foodbank banana!” 

We are grateful for the support of Mackay’s Marketing, and to partner with them to provide fresh, nutritious produce to Queensland kids. This produce plays a vital role in helping children across the state start their day with the nourishment they need to learn, grow and thrive.     

What began as a small community centre in Townsville has grown into a vibrant hub for food, connections and opportunity. Community Gro is a safe, welcoming place for families and individuals doing it tough, offering support and connection when it’s needed most.

With fresh and frozen meals, pantry staples, a small op shop, and a variety of other donated essentials, everything donated is given back to the community at no cost. Community Gro provides help for people at every stage of their journey. Whether someone needs a hot meal or a listening ear, there’s always help, and a warm welcome, waiting side.

A key part of the centre’s offering is their ready-made, low-cost frozen meals, which anyone can purchase. Every dollar made from these meals is reinvested into buying more ingredients to cook even more meals — creating a cycle of support that the whole community gets behind. Volunteers, staff, and locals come together in the kitchen, turning compassion into action. 

Thanks to support from Foodbank Queensland, Community Gro has been able to purchase essential items that are often harder to come by — including meat, eggs, and fresh produce.

“We have been able to purchase more food for our community with the support of Foodbank,” says Colleen, Manager at the Garbutt Community Centre.

Beyond food, Community Gro is transforming lives through wrap-around services, offering financial resilience, support groups, educational classes and other support services. Their Youth Hub is also thriving, with over 100 kids regularly participating in cooking classes, homework help, and fun activities like fishing. 

Looking ahead, Community Gro is working towards developing a supported alternative learning centre — another step in their efforts to uplift and empower the diverse Townsville community.

From meals to mentorship, Community Gro is more than a food hub — it’s a place of possibility.