Community Partner Story Citipointe Marketplace Durack

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.

This connection is evident in the stories of those who have found support, friendship, and even a sense of family within Citipointe Marketplace. Kylie, a dedicated team member of 10 years, shared the success story of Ester, a single mother with eight children, one of whom has a disability. Through sheer determination, Esther has not only managed to put all her children through school but has also pursued work as a carer. She came to the Marketplace regularly, and over time, she developed a bond with Kylie and the team at Citipointe Marketplace. Kylie believes that the Marketplace isn’t just a place to access essentials – it’s a place where lives intertwine, and everyone is supported.

The volunteers at Citipointe Marketplace recognise the communal spirit needed to run an operation of this size. Kimmy, one of these dedicated volunteers, shares “It takes a whole team, a village.” Their dedication is evident in the hours they spend sorting food, welcoming community members, and helping to foster an environment of warmth and understanding. For truck driver Gordon, who makes regular visits to Foodbank Queensland’s Food Distribution Centre to collect food and groceries, the work he does is about more than just logistics. “I always say hello. I share whatever I have got. Whether it’s love, whether it’s food,” he explains, emphasising the generosity that fuels Citipointe Marketplace.

Image: Citipointe Marketplace Durack shelves.

Image: Citipointe Marketplace Durack facility.

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.”

Image: Aunties cooking food for Citipointe Marketplace volunteers and patrons with fresh vegetable from Foodbank Queensland.

The Marketplace’s partnership with Foodbank Queensland not only enables the community access to a range of fresh and culturally relevant foods but also brings a sense of security. It is a lifeline for many families who face food insecurity. But perhaps even more importantly, it provides a setting for people to come together, connect, cook, and find strength in each other. As Kylie said, “you get to do life with them. That’s the best thing about it.”

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.

Community Partner Story The Storehouse

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

As a Foodbank Member for almost three years, The Storehouse is an established discount grocery store that provides fresh fruit, vegetables and grocery items at up to 70% off. The Storehouse is open to serve the community and has an engaged online audience of almost 9,000 who wait for the daily announcement of what food is available.

Kah shares that The Storehouse began with the creation of a $20 food hamper filled with essential food and grocery items. The $20 food hamper was promoted through social media, and interest grew from 800 followers to over 9,000 followers. The Storehouse has become a popular hub for those who need a hand through challenging times.

Kah continues that the demographic of those who access the service has changed over the last few years, as they see more two-income families needing assistance. “There are seven schools within a three-block radius here in Pimpama and Coomera, so we see many families and elderly who are struggling with rising costs, just regular people.” – Kah

The Storehouse is a hub for families, elderly individuals, and students to access discounted food and grocery items, but also to share a connection with both staff and fellow community members. A The Storehouse volunteer, affectionately known as ‘Auntie’ to the local community, shares that some come to the The Storehouse for company, knowing they are welcome and can simply talk to others.

The team hear heart breaking stories, including a local grandmother who lost her daughter and became the sole carer for her four young grandchildren. Accessing The Storehouse has been the helping hand needed to feed the children she now has in her care. “We’ve helped them a lot. Some think it’s just food, but it’s compassion. The hope that someone is there to help you.” – Kah

Kah continues that the most challenging issue facing food support outlets is sourcing products, specifically protein for the community. She shares The Storehouse could go through four pallets of meat a week if it was available, but some food items, like protein, are not donated enough to services like Foodbank Queensland. Adding to the pressure of keeping the service open is the lack of space. Kah shares, “We’re growing, and when the shop is full no one can move. I know we can help many more people.” – Kah

The team share that with a cold room and additional truck, the service could benefit hundreds more families every week. “My heart, our heart, the heart of Foodbank Queensland is just to help. We know there is a need we’re fulfilling, and we have the vessel to do it.” – 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.

Community Partner Story Vibe Care Pantry

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.”

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.

Community Partner Story Warm Hearts, Warm Bellies

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.

The local area surrounding Warm Hearts, Warm Bellies has seen a rising number of families accessing the service. With the increasing number of young families moving to the area, the WHWB team is dedicated to keeping up with the growing demand.

Warm Hearts, Warm Bellies also provides six local schools in the area with food assistance, providing breakfasts for nearly 5,000 children every week. With Pete’s son as her motivation, she is committed to ensuring kids start their day on the right foot, with a healthy breakfast, she explained, “Kids don’t go hungry when I’m around.”

Pete couldn’t run this operation alone and relies on the support of incredibly selfless volunteers. Volunteer Ashley became involved when she was approached by Pete who lived nearby and offered assistance. “She noticed I was pregnant with my daughter, and she would bring me food. It really helped.”Ashley joined the charity to pay the kindness forward, and together they keep the pantry full for those needing assistance.

“Without finding Warm Hearts, I would never have found what I love doing now, ensuring no one in our community goes hungry.” – Ashley

The Directors of the adjoining Kids Early Learning Browns Plains have generously offered Warm Hearts, Warm Bellies the use of a temporarily vacant space to operate from. Staff at the early learning centre Bec and Merrybel, share a deep passion for feeding community members who are facing food insecurity. “By offering this service to families, it takes away that stigma that some have when they are struggling financially. There is no stigma here,” Bec explains.

Upon entering the Centre, you’ll find a vibrant Community Pantry stocked with fresh fruit, bread, and children’s snacks collected from Foodbank Queensland’s Food Distribution Centre. This essential food is accessed daily by parents and carers of the children who access the service. “We don’t know if anyone is struggling at home, but having a pantry that’s always stocked up with items like broccoli, lettuce, wraps and pasta means they have the ability to make meals for their children at home.” – Merrybel

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.

The 2024 Foodbank Hunger Report shows close to700,000 Queenslanders are suffering through lack of healthy and nutritious food

Close to 700,000 Queensland households can’t put enough food on the table to stay healthy, happy and out of hunger.

The Foodbank Hunger Report shows Queenslanders are feeling the bite when it comes to finding sufficient food to feed themselves and their families.

Foodbank Queensland CEO Jess Watkinson said the Hunger Report findings showed a critical need for more to be done to alleviate food insecurity.

“1 in 5 Queensland households skipped meals or scrimped on their serving sizes in the last 12 months because of severe food insecurity,” Ms Watkinson said.

“Food insecurity is being felt more acutely in regional areas, with 36% of regional households facing food insecurity in the last 12 months, compared with 28% in metropolitan areas.”

“Knowing where to find food relief support has increased from 36% last year to 47% this year. This is a glimmer of hope that those going without are finding out and accessing food relief; however, this shows that Foodbank Queensland’s role is more critical than ever.”

Key Queensland statistics:

Close to 700,000 Queensland households have experienced food insecurity in the last 12 months, meaning they aren’t eating quality, variety, or desirable food.

1 in 5 Queensland households have experienced severe food insecurity in the last 12 months, meaning they are reducing serving sizes of meals or skipping eating.

Nearly half (44%) of Queensland’s low-income households (earning less than $30,000 per year) are experiencing food insecurity.

Over 1 in 5 (22%) Queensland households with an income of more than $95,000 are food insecure.

More than 1 in 4 (26%) of mortgage holders in Queensland experienced food insecurity in the last 12 months.

Food insecurity is being felt more acutely in regional areas (36%) compared to metropolitan areas (28%).

Awareness of food relief support in Queensland is growing with 47% of food insecure households knowing where to seek food relief support in the past 12 months compared to 36% in 2023.

Emily’s Story

Emily fled a violent home – and thanks to the food you provide, she won’t be forced to return.

Imagine having to choose between living with the constant threat of violence, or going hungry.

Emily* was living in fear of her long-term partner. In the five years they’d been together, he’d cut her off from her friends and family and she had no freedom or independence.

“I had no car and no income of my own and he had access to all my social media passwords. There was food… but it was all food he liked. I was too frightened to eat much and when I did, I’d sneak the food.”

Emily was facing an impossible choice. If she stayed, her life was at risk. But if she left, she’d have no home, no belongings and no food. Then one night, soon after she turned 50, Emily’s partner came home and used physical violence against her. The next morning, he acted like nothing had happened.

“He got up and kissed me before he went to work,” she recalls. “After he left, I snapped. I thought; ‘Hang on, I can’t do this anymore’.”

Emily grabbed a bag and packed a few items of clothing. Without a cent to her name, she fled to the bus stop, determined to escape.

“I’ll never forget that wonderful bus driver,” she says. “He took one look at my bruised face, my tears and my suitcase and said: ‘Come on, I’ll take you to the train station’.”

Emily felt so relieved she’d escaped, but she now had to rebuild her life from scratch. In desperation, she called an old friend who helped her find lodgings with a couple who lived two hours away by train.

It was an amazing feeling to have a safe place to sleep from that day on. But as Emily couldn’t contribute any money to the household, she felt guilty eating the couple’s food – especially with the skyrocketing cost of groceries.

So, Emily hopped online to see if there was a place where she could get some basic food items to cook meals of her own. She soon discovered a local Member Charity. This Foodbank Queensland charity partner provides food hampers to those doing it tough. Emily didn’t know it yet, but she was about to get a second chance at life.

“Walking into the food pantry is one of the most beautiful and vivid memories of my life. A young lady said to me ‘Can I help you?’ and I burst into tears – I lost it.”

The kind-hearted volunteer offered Emily a hamper filled with food essentials all people need. The food had been freely provided by Foodbank Queensland, thanks to your amazing support. Emily was astonished as she went through the hamper. There was so much – baked beans, bread, breakfast cereal, rice, fruit and vegetables.

“I was able to go home to my friends’ house with food and feel like I was contributing. One of the first things I made was a soup in the slow cooker. It made my life so much better that I could eat well. The hamper lasted me a week. I was so grateful for the quality of it.”

Three months after Emily escaped her violent partner, she was grateful she could still access food hampers as she took steps to regain her independence. She’d begun doing short courses to prepare for employment. Emily’s confidence was building. So, she asked if she could volunteer at the food pantry for work experience. It was a way to repay the life-changing food she’d received, thanks to you!

With cost-of-living soaring, more people than ever like Emily are struggling to put food on the table. This includes families, older women and even those with jobs. Many Queenslanders are struggling to survive and seeking help for the first time. When they come into the food pantry where Emily volunteers, they are often embarrassed.

But Emily puts them at ease. She greets each person with a warm smile.

“People come in downtrodden, and they go, ‘Oh, I’m sorry, I’ve had to come in’. And I’m like, ‘You know what, honey? They’ve helped me out before – and it’s kept me alive’.

“You wouldn’t believe the looks on their faces when I give them a hamper. They often say ‘Wow, is this mine? Thank you so much.’ We send them off happy.”

After feeling so hopeless, going hungry is something Emily no longer fears. Because there’s a place where she can eat well and be healthy and strong, she can focus on creating a secure future, free from violence and abuse.

“Without this support in my time of crisis I probably would have had to go back to my ex,” she says. “I don’t even know if I’d be alive.

“I felt like nothing then suddenly, I had the support of some food. It’s changed my life and the next steps I’ll take. My independence is back, and I feel good about myself. I’m only 50 and I’m ready to make a career… I’m going places!”

*Name has been changed to protect privacy

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Amazon Teams Up with Australian Red Cross and Foodbank Queensland to Boost Disaster Preparedness Across Queensland

Queensland has received significant support for its disaster preparedness, with Amazon Australia launching a new network of six Disaster Relief Supply Points in Cairns, Wangetti, Townsville, Rockhampton, Dalby and St George. Developed in partnership with Foodbank Queensland and Australian Red Cross, these Disaster Relief Supply Points contain critical supplies that can be dispatched quickly to regional communities when a disaster hits.

Queensland is Australia’s most disaster-prone state and has been hit by almost 100 natural disasters in the past decade1. From today, all six Disaster Relief Supply Points will be operational across Queensland, storing over 55,000 emergency items including toiletries, blankets, tarps, first aid kits and non-perishable food items. These items have been packed into kits by Amazon volunteers and pre-positioned ready for fast and efficient collection and distribution by various organisations, charities and local disaster groups. Distribution will vary dependent on the type of disaster and response required.

Amazon Australia has worked closely with Foodbank Queensland to identify and engage partner organisations embedded in these local communities to store these supplies until they are needed. The collaboration between organisations like Australian Red Cross and Foodbank Queensland supports the timely and efficient mobilisation of essential items to ensure the delivery of supplies to where they are needed most.

Amazon uses its data expertise alongside insights from its non-profit partners to identify the relief items most commonly needed on the ground when a disaster strikes. Wherever possible, products have been sourced and purchased from Amazon Australia’s small and medium sized business selling partners including Nakie, Little Urchin, Bunji, Zenify, Joonya and Juuni.

Items stored within the Disaster Relief Supply Points have been shipped to regional Queensland from Amazon Australia’s existing Disaster Relief network, located in Amazon’s fulfilment centres in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. The Amazon Disaster Relief network in Australia currently stores more than 250,000 emergency items.

Amazon’s Community Lead, Charlotte Richardsonsaid: “Typically, Amazon Australia’s Disaster Relief network aims to provide emergency supplies to disaster zones within 72 hours, but this can be more challenging for regional and remote residents. By pre-positioning items within regional and remote communities, locals can rest assured the charities supporting them when disaster hits have much faster access to emergency supplies than if they were sent from Brisbane or Sydney.”

Australian Red Cross Queensland Director, Collin Sivalingum said:“Our partnerships, such as the one we have with Amazon Australia, enable us to be there for everyone, always. Right now, as part of our seasonal preparedness activities, Australian Red Cross is working closely with local government authorities to build capacity in accessing essential items and support communities impacted by disasters. These new Amazon Australia Disaster Relief Supply Points, established across regional Queensland, will play a key role helping our collective efforts towards being there for Queenslanders during disasters at a time when they need us most.”

Foodbank Queensland Chief Executive Officer, Jess Watkinson said: “Foodbank Queensland is incredibly thankful for our partnership with Amazon Australia, which allows us to locate supplies and be able to immediately support communities on the road to recovery. With the opening of these new locations across regional Queensland, we will be able to reach more people quickly in times of crisis and we are grateful to our partners across the state for providing the storage locations for these much-needed supplies.”

Disaster Relief Hubs are a signature part of Amazon Australia’s local community relief efforts. Since the devastating 2019-20 bushfires, Amazon Australia has sourced and dispatched more than 700,000 relief items through 15 disasters including bushfires, floods, cyclones and COVID outbreaks.

Queensland Food Relief Providers Call for Minister for Food to Tackle Growing Food Insecurity Crisis

Foodbank Queensland has joined forces with leading charities OzHarvest, SecondBite and FareShare and to call for the establishment of a dedicated Minister for Food as the state grapples with an escalating food insecurity crisis.

The move, which would be an Australian-first, aims to address the complex and mounting challenges facing the food system and ensure every Queenslander has access to safe, nutritious and culturally appropriate food.

The collective efforts of Foodbank Queensland, OzHarvest, SecondBite and FareShare provide a lifeline to millions of Queenslanders, distributing more than 22 million kilograms of food and grocery relief each year, equivalent to a staggering 46 million meals. 

Yet the sector is struggling under an unprecedented surge in demand driven by the cost-of-living crisis and natural disasters.

Foodbank Queensland Chief Executive Officer Jess Watkinson said a Minister for Food would provide the focus and coordination needed to ensure that food security is a top priority for the state government.

“The number of Queenslanders struggling to put food on the table is reaching alarming levels – 1 in 5 households each year to be exact. We need a coordinated and strategic approach to address the root causes of food insecurity and build a more resilient food system for the future,” Ms Watkinson said.

“This groundbreaking role would be an Australian first, demonstrating Queensland’s commitment to tackling food insecurity head-on. The Minister would oversee the development of a food relief strategy and investment plan, coordinate government responses and drive efforts to reduce food waste across the state.

“A dedicated Minister would also be in line with recommendations from the House Standing Committee on Agriculture report Australian Food Story: Feeding the Nation and Beyond, which investigates Australia’s food security amidst challenges such as climate change, biosecurity threats and supply chain disruptions.”

OzHarvest Queensland Manager, Michaela Windsor said urgent action was long overdue to address this ongoing issue in the state.

“Nearly 70% of the charities we support say they desperately need more food to meet demand. There are so many new people seeking food relief for the first time in their lives – some have to line up for over two hours to receive fresh fruit and vegetables,” Ms Windsor said.

“In a country that produces enough food to feed everyone, this should not be happening. Queensland has the opportunity to lead the way and tackle these issues head on with a Minister for Food.”

The Queensland food relief sector has also called for the establishment of a food systems taskforce, to better ensure Queenslanders have access to healthy food in sufficient amounts, and the development of a food relief strategy and investment plan.

“A thorough food relief plan is essential to help ensure the food relief sector remains adequately resourced for the short-term, while planning is undertaken for medium and long-term investment,” Ms Watkinson said.

The food relief sector is urging all political parties to commit to these priorities in the lead-up to the state election so every Queenslander has access to the food they need to thrive.

Community Partner Story

The Rock Family & Community Support

Founded in 2001, Foodlink, operated by The Rock Family and Community Support Inc., helps hundreds of families each month. Assisting families and individuals, the team at Foodlink works hard to ensure that no one in their community goes hungry. They help these families and individuals by providing essential food parcels and support to those in need, as they state,

“Our mission and aim are to provide care for families, youth, or anyone who is under financial pressure from daily living in the Redlands area and beyond.”

Supported by The Rock Christian Church, local donations, and as a Foodbank Member Charity, Foodlink operates with compassion, providing nourishment to all, regardless of circumstance.

“No prerequisites, no barriers. Our doors are open wide, embracing everyone seeking support, without conditions or strict requirements.”

With dedication and heart, they assemble a minimum of 50 parcels of essential goods each week, serving as a lifeline to those in need. Lucy, Foodlink Manager explained:

“One week’s busier than the other with the pension week. We do emergency relief parcels as well… we have helped a lot of people.” – Lucy

Open on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9am to 2pm, hampers are ordered online and are collected at the Foodlink centre. Priced at $50, these large hampers include many essential groceries including protein, fruit and vegetables, bread, cereals, pasta and sauces. The variety and quantity of each hamper is impressive. Foodlink recognises that people’s dietary preferences and restrictions vary. To overcome this obstacle, they’ve implemented a compassionate system that allows people to select their preferred foods from a regularly updated list.

Foodlink’s outreach extends to young families, offering vital support, especially during this cost-of-living crisis. Rachel*, a grateful mother of five, shared that: “(The hamper) will last us about a week for a family of five. The fruit and veg, I don’t have to get anything else from anywhere else. The bread, I get enough for us, and I give some to my grandfather who can’t drive and my mum as well.”– Rachel*

Her heartfelt gratitude echoes the impact of Foodlink’s efforts and displays the profound impact the centre is having on the Redland community.

Rachel’s testimony also highlights the importance of addressing both immediate needs and nurturing a supportive community among those in need. Many who are faced with choosing between paying a bill or food can find relief and comfort in knowing centres like Foodlink exist, as Lucy explained, “There are a lot of young families that once they come in and once, they see that parcel, they just start to cry. Because they’ve got nothing, no food. Especially people with children. We see, people coming in and they’re just blown away.”

With Foodbank’s assistance, Foodlink can access a diverse range of essential items, enabling them to tailor their hampers to meet the specific needs of individuals and families in their community “We really appreciate Foodbank.” – Lucy

As the demand for their services grows, Foodbank Queensland calls upon the community to join the fight against hunger. Through regular giving and support, together, we can ensure no one in Queensland goes without a meal.

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.

Community Partner Story Global Care Bundaberg

In a city known for its famous ginger beer, rum, and sugarcane, a silent epidemic is happening. Hunger.

Fighting this unseen epidemic is The Citicoast Pantry, a not-for-profit initiative of the Citicoast Church and Global Care. Their goal is to love and support the local community of Bundaberg. They’re doing exactly this through their storefront that stocks a wonderful variety of low-cost groceries and household supplies.

This low-cost grocery space has no barriers to entry, everyone and anyone is welcome to shop at The Citicoast Pantry. Each week, great savings and weekly specials can be found on a variety of groceries and fresh produce. To stock this pantry, The Citicoast Pantry works with a number of food rescue organisations and local businesses. One such organisation that has been there from the start is Foodbank Queensland.

In 2011, following the devastating floods that impacted the Bundaberg region, many displaced residents were in desperate need of assistance. Citicoast Church came to the rescue, providing food and shelter for many.

“Citicoast was one of the major points of operation as far as getting food and necessities out to families that were displaced from the flood. At that stage, we were solely operating out of the church. We opened the church and cleared out the pews. We put food out on tables every week.“ – Pastor Adam

During this emergency, Foodbank Queensland was pivotal in supporting Citicoast with the products their community desperately needed. After seeing an ongoing need in the community, Citicoast Church decided that the Bundaberg community needed, “something substantial and permanent.” – Pastor Adam

And so, The Citicoast Pantry was officially created. After renovating their shed, The Citicoast Pantry is a place where individuals and families can shop with dignity while grabbing some incredibly low-cost groceries. Store Manager Charissa explained:

“Our approach ensures that people have access to food without relying on handouts. This helps to restore dignity while also filling a need. Offering food at a low price not only improves their well-being, but also helps them save money, meaning they can afford more expensive items when needed.” – Charissa

Open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday between 10am to 2pm, The Citicoast Pantry serves over 100 people per day, but this figure is rising. They have steadily seen an increase as the cost-of-living pressures continue to impact people who have never felt the pinch of their wallet before, Charissa explained:

“Many families are facing challenges right now, especially those with school-aged children, who are struggling these days due to a lack of support.” – Charissa

The Citicoast Pantry also supports Foodbank Queensland’s School Breakfast Program. This sees The Citicoast Pantry collect school breakfast staples such as cereal, tinned fruit and UHT milk from Foodbank Queensland. Schools across Bundaberg collect these products from The Citicoast Pantry for their School Breakfast Program’s to ensure that students start their day with a nutritious meal, promoting better focus and performance in their studies.

On top of this, the Citicoast Pantry provides 40-50 emergency hampers per month, for individuals and families who are in desperate need. These hampers hold not only food and essentials but also hope. The hope that with a full stomach, and one less thing to worry about, individuals and families can get back on their feet.

That’s exactly what service users of The Citicoast Pantry are achieving, with many coming back to share with Charissa and the team how they have helped.

“We were able to provide ongoing food support to a gentleman throughout his struggling years, and he is now returning with friends. He’s secured a house and has said to us, ‘I’m going keep shopping with you and I’ll continue to support you for all that you have done for me.’”- Charissa

This service provides both food and connection for many throughout the Bundaberg region. As Pastor Adam expressed, “It gives us inroads into lives that we might not have had access to without the food. Offering someone a helping hand and putting something in their fridge for them, is a connect point.”– Pastor Adam

Many service users The Citicoast Pantry is now servicing are homeless or homeless insecure who are in jobs and are working but are still unable to meet the increased rent. On top of this, the rental crisis in regional Queensland means there are just not enough houses available to rent. To make ends meet, Citicoast Pantry is doing all that they can to help the Bundaberg community. By supporting Foodbank Queensland, you are also supporting organisations like The Citicoast Pantry, as Charissa explained:

“We get to see the tears of relief when people realise they can access affordable food at The Citicoast Pantry. Without the donations to Foodbank, many people would have nothing on their table most nights. We see it in their faces, it truly means the world to them.”– Charissa

As the demand for their services grows, Foodbank Queensland calls upon Queenslanders to join the fight against hunger. Through regular giving and support, together, we can ensure no one in Queensland goes without a meal.

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.