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. 

Every Wednesday morning, before the school grounds come fully to life, Nexus Care sets up a small but powerful School Breakfast Program at a Brisbane school. As a Foodbank Queensland Community Partner, they run a weekly Brekky Club, one morning dedicated entirely to welcoming children with food, fun and genuine connections.

For many students, Wednesday has become the day they look forward to most. It’s a morning that begins with the smell of toast, the hum of friendly chatter, and the comforting presence of volunteers and school staff who know their names and care about their wellbeing. The Brekky Club isn’t just about providing a meal; it’s about creating a moment of calm and belonging in an otherwise busy school week.

And because Brekky Club draws children in so naturally, it has helped the school identify families who are doing it tough and might otherwise slip under the radar. “As a Chappy, Brekky Club has helped me identify students who need extra food support. I can follow up and make sure they have access to food such as the Foodbank hampers for the holidays.” Sometimes the smallest offering, a piece of toast, becomes a lifeline. As Marlene puts it, “A single piece of toast at breakfast has opened the door to feeding whole families and communities.”

She recalls one Wednesday that changed everything for a student.

“One morning really stood out this year. A student kept coming and going, so I checked in with him. He told me, ‘I usually have food till a Wednesday.’ Food till Wednesday? Brekky Club created the moment for that conversation – where I could say that’s not okay. Now he has food parcels, and we’ve been able to support his whole family. The School Breakfast Program was the gateway.”

For many young people, one morning a week is enough to feel connected. As Marlene shared, “I feel like food brings our young people together in a powerful way.”

The volunteers who show up each Wednesday understand this deeply. Their presence is consistent, friendly, and full of heart. “The mentoring that happens is such a gift. Yes, it starts with the food- but without the food, the mentoring wouldn’t happen,” Marlene said.

Simeon, who has been volunteering since 2013, says the highlight of every Wednesday is “seeing all the kids walk away from the breaky not going hungry and ready for the day ahead.”

For volunteer Tim, the magic lies in being part of the whole school community. He loves, “engaging with the entirety of the school community,” and treasures the moments when students stay just to talk. “Some of the kids will come into the school and they won’t have breakfast so, giving them food, being able to serve them. Making them feel seen as well. Some of these kids will be here for like 20 to 30 minutes just speaking to you. That’ll be the highlight of their week.”

For hundreds of students, one morning a week makes all the difference. Each Wednesday, Nexus Care’s Brekky Club creates a space where every child feels welcome and where breakfast becomes a doorway to belonging, support and a brighter day ahead. 

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. 

Each morning at Kelso State School begins with the smell of toast in the air and the sound of children preparing for a successful day of learning. It’s not just breakfast – it’s a moment of connection, pride, and purpose. In this Kelso Proud school community, breakfast is more than a meal. Every child is welcomed with a smile and access to toast in the morning and sandwiches at lunchtime, no questions asked. It’s a meaningful start to the day that draws the school closer as a community. 

“The Breakfast Club brings us together,” says Sarah, Head of Department, Curriculum. The school community meets for the morning parade – a simple but powerful routine that brings students together to practice school war cries, set expectations for safe and successful learning, and prepare for the day ahead. “The kids are given the opportunity to contribute to how they might be safe, responsible and respectful,” Sarah shares.

When students arrive at school without having had breakfast the school is able to support this through programs like Breakfast Club. “There is a need to support students who may need food throughout the day, so it’s important we have those things available,” explains Sarah. “Being able to help them to access what they need to be successful, enables students to be calm, centered and ready to learn.”

Kim, Head of Department, Student Services shared, “the school is grateful for the generous donations of food that Foodbank provides throughout the year. These donations enable us to support students, families and the wider community to access daily essentials.” 

Each morning at Kelso State School begins with the smell of toast in the air and the sound of children coming together. It’s not just breakfast – it’s a moment of connection, pride, and purpose. In this tight-knit school community, breakfast is more than a meal. Every child is welcomed with toast in the morning and sandwiches at lunchtime, no questions asked. It’s a meaningful start to the day that draws the school closer as a community.

“The toast brings us together,” says Sarah, Head of Department, Curriculum. The school community meets for the “morning parade” – a simple but powerful routine that brings students together to sing school war cries, set their intentions, and prepare for the day ahead. “The kids are given the opportunity to contribute to how they might be safe, responsible, and respectful,” Sarah shares.

Many children arrive without food, and it’s not just a morning issue. “With so many kids coming in without food, both for breakfast or for lunch, it’s important we have those things available,” explains Sarah. “For the kids to come in, full tummies ready for the day, they are excited to be part of what is going on in the classroom.”

Kim, Head of Department, Student Services shared, “if it wasn’t for the food that Foodbank provides for breakfast, some students wouldn’t come to school.”

Kingdom Makers Food Outlet has only been open since March 2023, but already it has become a cornerstone of support for people across North Lakes, Deception Bay, Rothwell, Redcliffe, Kallangur and beyond.

At its heart, Kingdom Makers is a low-cost food outlet built on the power of food rescue. Partnering with organisations like Foodbank Queensland, SecondBite and Twin Rivers Centre, the outlet rescues bread, fruit, vegetables and essential grocery items every week to make sure nothing goes to waste and everything goes back into the community.

Partnerships with organisations like Foodbank are critical to keeping their shelves stocked and their community supported. As Senior Pastor, Alexia, who runs the pantry explains: “Everyday groceries are very expensive, so I think where we can help, we will. Having partners like Foodbank is paramount to the service we provide and very much needed.”

The outlet is open Tuesday to Saturday and run almost entirely by volunteers. Together, they support hundreds of families each week – parents trying to stretch their grocery budgets, older residents looking for affordable produce and people who are jobless and facing homelessness who rely on free hampers of bread, fruit, vegetables and household essentials.

Alexia knows first-hand that everyone who walks through their doors has a different story, and that stereotypes don’t reflect the reality of today’s cost of living crisis. “We can get people coming with no shoes, unemployed people living out of their cars who need support… and then we get the families where one parent is working or both, and they come in looking for cheap meats and bulk foods to make their money go further.”

One of those volunteers is Hayley. Her journey with the pantry began during one of the hardest times in her life. After leaving a domestic violence situation, Hayley found herself isolated from her community and unsure of her future. She connected with a job provider, shared her hope to volunteer, and was directed to Kingdom Makers Food Outlet.

“It’s been the best thing for me. It helped me build myself back up again. To know that I am capable, I am worthy, I am good. This place helped me come back into who I am again,” Hayley says.

Through her volunteering, Hayley has found not only purpose but also a community. “This place is home to me, it changed my life. And I watch it changing people’s lives in here every day, helping families and kids.”

Now, Hayley is one of the friendly faces helping families when they come in to shop for affordable food. She remembers a mother of seven who told her the money she saved on groceries at the outlet meant she could do something special with her kids.

“She said, I can take my kids out because I’ve saved my money here on their food for the week. What it meant to her to be able to take her kids out and do something recreational as well as feed them… you can feel unworthy when you can’t afford to give your kids the best, but when they’re happy that’s invaluable.”

Moments like this remind Hayley why she continues to give back. “My biggest thing has been if we can help the families reduce their food bill so they can help the kids play sport or help them learn an instrument – I can’t put a price on that because I know the importance of it.”

For both Alexia and Hayley, food is the connector, but people are at the heart of everything. Every day, gratitude fills the outlet, whether it’s a simple “thank you” from someone receiving a free hamper, or the growing number of community members who choose to donate and support their purpose.

“When people start donating, I know their hearts are open and they believe in what we’re doing,” Alexia says.

Kingdom Makers Food Outlet may be built around food rescue, but its true impact is restoring dignity, building purpose, and creating a place where everyone belongs. Or as Hayley puts it: “They’re not just here for good shopping and good food, but to put a smile on their face as well and feeling good for the day. Because I don’t know what else they’re going to face when they leave.”