Citipointe Marketplace Durack, located in one of Brisbane’s most culturallydiverse suburbs, is a community hub dedicated to more than just providing food. Established in 2011 by Citipointe Church, this initiative has evolved from assembling food packs into a support system that honours the cultural diversity of those it serves. Initially offering typically Western foods, like tins of baked beans, the Marketplace quickly recognised the importance of catering to the unique tastes and practices of its community. Instead of assuming their needs, they asked, “what do you need?” – a question that transformed their approach. Today, Citipointe Marketplace emphasise culturally relevant foods and products creating a deeper, more impactful connection with the communities it supports. 

At Citipointe Marketplace, each day brings opportunities to meet people and offer support tailored to their unique needs. Kylie recounts her experience with a refugee family struggling to rebuild their lives in a new county, facing significant cultural and professional challenges. The father, once a respected doctor in his home country, faced frustration and pain as he struggled to find work in Australia, leading to a sense of loss, not only of livelihood but also of self-worth. “Can you imagine how many decisions you are used to making yourself today, if you had all that taken off you tomorrow?” Kylie asked.

In their journey to provide meaningful food relief, Citipointe Marketplace has partnered with Foodbank Queensland, to ensure a supply of fresh, nutritious fruit and vegetables. Thanks to this partnership, Citipointe Marketplace receives regular deliveries, including bulk items like zucchini, potatoes, chillies and sweet potatoes, which the community members creatively incorporate into traditional recipes. Kylie marvels at the resourcefulness of the women she works with, noting, “Foodbank Queensland will give us a big pallet of sweet potatoes, and these ladies will use it in one hundred different ways.”

After a tragic loss in their family and seeing the desperate need in their community, husband and wife team Tama and Kah were inspired to start The Storehouse to ensure others were never left without. Operating six days a week in Pimpama, staff and volunteers take pride in the impact they have on the local community.  

With Foodbank Queensland as the largest supporter of The Storehouse, Kah shares, “When we found Foodbank Queensland, everything started to accelerate. We had this big marquee up the driveway of my home with many tables and would feed up to 200 people a week – it was crazy!”  

Now supporting 600 families every week, the hardworking team proudly shares their growth from a humble home garage handing out hampers of food, to now, a bustling storefront supporting hundreds in the community. Kah explained the need has increased substantially, “I don’t want people to ever go without … the scope of what we do has gotten so much wider these days, that it’s just your everyday people now.” – Kah 

Tama shares to the generous donors of Foodbank Queensland,“This service helps everyone. We wouldn’t be able to do this without Foodbank Queensland. We thank you.” 

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.

Providing vital relief to Coastal Communities. 

For more than a decade, Vibe Care Pantry has stood as a vital lifeline for families on the Gold Coast, providing food and essentials to those in need. Their three locations on the Gold Coast; Palm Beach, Tweed Heads and Burleigh provide discounted groceries up to 70% off; with fruit, vegetables and bread offered at no cost. 

Foodbank Queensland is the main supplier to all three Vibe Care Food Outlets, servicing up to 3,000 families every week with groceries including meat, canned goods, bakery items and healthy snacks. 

Director of Vibe Care, David shares that providing food supplies at a low cost, allows the local community to spend their money on essentials including rising rents, bills and medical costs.  

“We understand how difficult it can be when families struggle to afford basic necessities. We’re no longer just for people who are on the verge of homelessness or facing disadvantage; we’re here for everyday people.”

“Foodbank Queensland is what helps make all of this happen. Foodbank Queensland is the resource, it’s the tools. It provides us with the food to be able to facilitate this service.” 

People from all walks of life rely on the pantry, and in the past two years, the demographic has shifted as more young families move to the area and seek assistance. David explained, “Every day we have people coming in, with tears of gratitude for what we’re doing to help them with food.”  

“They often say that without this service they don’t know where they’d be.”  

The team working at Vibe Care are a mix of volunteers from the local community, and those who are a part of Victory House, a residential rehabilitation facility on the Gold Coast. Their partnership with Vibe Care supports men recovering from addiction and substance abuse, helping them reconnect with their local community.  

Committed to community outreach, Vibe Care began at a single location and quickly expanded to three much-needed outlets. Commencing operations in Tweed Heads, the need for food in the community far outweighed what the storefront could handle. With a dedicated group of volunteers, David and his wife Louise opened food outlets in Palm Beach and Burleigh Heads. David used to drive the truck to and from the Foodbank Distribution Centre in Brisbane to collect orders for the outlet stores. Now, his son Logan makes the same trip, stocking up on much-needed food and groceries. 

The food that Logan collects from Foodbank Queensland would not be available if it weren’t for our incredible donors. Dave has a heartfelt message for those who generously donate to Foodbank Queensland, “What you are doing is making more of a difference and impact on a family and each lifeso much more than you even realise. We love the heart behind Foodbank Queensland, and that is you.” 

Warm Hearts, Warm Bellies: The Street Ministry, is a dedicated charity committed to offering support and essential resources to those in the community in need.   

Based in Logan, Warm Hearts, Warm Bellies is making a significant difference in the community, providing much-needed food assistance and creating emergency hampers for local families. The need for their services is growing at an incredible rate. As Director Pete Underwood explained, ‘It just went bang.’ Last year, the charity was supporting 500 community members a week, and now this year, they are supporting over 7,000 individuals every week. Foodbank Queensland supports their incredible food relief services and are the main supplier of fresh produce and grocery items for the everyday food relief that Warm Hearts, Warm Bellies provides.  

Director Pete Underwood revealed that her inspiration for Warm Hearts, Warm Bellies emerged during a period of incarceration. Her deep commitment to the community stems from her personal experience with homelessness and hunger. The combination of both circumstances drove Pete to create positive change in the community and create a sustainable food service for those in need. 

Inclusion and accessibility are at the heart of WHWB, with Pete sharing, “In my past, I didn’t feel comfortable to go near anyone because of the way I looked, and was always getting judged, so I decided to become that person who people could approach.” 

Pete shares the heartbreaking reality of how the cost-of-living crisis continues to impact local families and the elderly. She has witnessed people rummaging through bins behind supermarkets, and understands how many feel there is no help available. But Pete explains that, “You don’t need to get to the point where you’re going through the bin.  I’ve seen families do it. Our message is to come with us, and we will feed you.”  

Warm Hearts, Warm Bellies hosted a Community Food Drop in Browns Plains to assist community members going hungry. With the support of Foodbank Queensland, Warm Hearts, Warm Bellies filled a carpark with cartons of food and ready-made meals from FareShare, a service that uses rescued food to create nutritious meals. The dedicated team welcomed over 200 local families to the Community Food Drop, distributing much needed food, and over 900 FareShare meals to those experiencing hunger.  

Pete recalls a woman who attended the Community Food Drop and volunteered to serve those waiting in the long lines. Afterward, she confided that she had recently lost her job and required food to support her family, yet she insisted on ensuring everyone else was fed before herself.  

When the team learned of her situation, they made sure she left the event with a hamper brimming with fresh produce and protein. ‘No one should ever feel ashamed or embarrassed to ask for food. It’s here for everyone who needs it.” – Pete 

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.