Community Partner Story Loaves and Fishes Slacks Creek

Since 1995, Loaves and Fishes has been supporting those in need in their community, and the greater Brisbane area. It all began with Pastor Jock making a dozen sandwiches, boiling an urn for coffee and tea and embarking on a mission to help those in need. One such individual he helped in those early days was Scott. Scott recalls the first time he met Pastor Jock:

“25 years ago, I was a druggie sticking needles in my arms. I was trying to get off the drugs and doing counselling and the Loaves and Fishes founder had a street van just outside where I was receiving counselling. So, I wandered out, gave him a gold coin, had a sausage sizzle, a drink and a chat. He took me under his wing, and I just helped out, went to church with him and got off the drugs.”

Scott, a signwriter by trade, began helping Loaves and Fishes with their signage at their centers. This began as a way to amend and balance out the evil he believed his life had included so far. But after a while the reasoning for helping changed, as Scott explained:

“After a little while I thought, wow, this feels really good. So, I kept doing it, but not because I had to make good on life, but because it just felt so good.”

The path that Pastor Jock led Scott on would only be the beginning of something greater. As of 2022, Scott took the helm of Loaves and Fishes as the CEO. Since then, Loaves and Fishes has continued to thrive as a not-for-profit charity with two locations, Slacks Creek and Caboolture.

For many years, Loaves and Fishes has been a Foodbank Queensland Member Charity. Foodbank Queensland has been an important partner in supplying Loaves and Fishes with the necessary produce and groceries needed for the important services they provide.

“Foodbank have always been a big part of what we do. We always have, because of you guys, an amazing trolley of fruit and vegetables.” – Scott

Such services include Loaves and Fishes Meal Program, which operates on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays between 11am and 1pm. This program provides nutritious, hot meals for those in need. Food hampers are also available, which are large boxes filled with all a family could possibly need for an entire week. These hampers reduce the stress for families trying to put food on the table each night. A Discount Food Outlet is also available where people can purchase groceries at a heavily discounted price.

The combination of these services acts as a set of steppingstones to help those in need find their footing. The hope is that eventually they will no longer need Loaves and Fishes support and they can live a life without knowing hunger.

“We’re a steppingstone ministry, or a charity. If someone’s really broke, they come down for a hot lunch. If a family is struggling, they can come and get a hamper. Clients don’t get to choose the contents of their hamper; it contains what is available and seasonal at that time. Once they get on their feet they can then come to our Discount Grocery Store. When they get on their feet a bit more… Back to normal grocery stores. We’re just trying to get people back on their feet and back to mainstream.” – Scott

The success of these steppingstones is seen regularly as many people become less reliant on Loaves and Fishes services. As Scott explained, some people come in only once, others ten times and then some disappear. The assumption is that they’ve gone onto bigger and better things. Such as recently, a previous service user who had previously lost his business visited Loaves and Fishes to extend his thanks to the Charity, Scott explained:

“He came in yesterday, and gave out grocery gift cards to our volunteers, and donated $200 our charity.”

These success stories are what motivates Scott and his team of staff, volunteers, Work the Dole participants and supporters. Through these services over 3,000 people are supported by Loaves and Fishes Slacks Creek and Caboolture each week. It’s clear that the need for these steppingstones is in demand more than ever. As Nicole, Floor Manager at Loaves & Fishes Slacks Creek explained,

“We are doing more than double the amount of assistance hampers than we were when I started one year ago.”

As the cost of living continues to rise so does the demand for food relief. But with the work Loaves and Fishes achieves each day, Brisbane residents have the necessary support to access a basic human right, food.

“If at least we help one person, like Jock did with me then this place is a success.” – Scott

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 Redland Community Centre

Stepping inside Redland Community Centre, you’ll be greeted by a variety of fruit, veg and clothes available for free. Should you require further relief, friendly staff and volunteers are ready and waiting to help.

From free counseling services, emergency relief, homelessness support, financial counseling, and food relief parcels, the Redland Community Centre offers a wide variety of services for anyone who finds themselves in need of assistance.

Recently, those who require this assistance has not only increased but also changed, as Ronan, Operations Manager at the Centre explained:

“It’s been busier, but it’s been different. What it has been is a shift in the demographic. The demographical shift that’s happened is about those who are working poor, the mum and dad, the families that, could just afford it before are now struggling. They’ve never had to access services before, so they’re accessing services now because they just can’t make ends meet. They’re working full time; they’re working their butt off.” – Ronan

Open five days a week, struggling families can access the support they need. Each day between 10 to 20 people use the Emergency Relief service available. Those accessing this program range from the ages of 15 to 80+. Allison, CEO of Redland Community Centre, spoke of one such elderly service user who had found herself in extreme circumstances. Allison explained:

“Four doors down from the centre, an elderly lady was eating cat food. Her house looked great, but inside she was struggling. She had children that were interstate, but she didn’t tell them. We got involved, we advised her not to eat the cat food and we gave her food. We phoned up her son, and her son was horrified. He said, ‘What?’ She didn’t say anything like that, and the elderly won’t. They don’t want to bother their children.”

The centre organised for the lady to fly down to her son, now reunited she is living a much better life. This is just one of the countless examples of how the Redland Community Centre betters the lives of community members. While over 80% of service users first connect with Redland Community Centre during a crisis, many find their other programs to also be of great assistance. Allison described the journey:

“When they arrive here, they are pretty desperate. They get serviced in Emergency Relief through the assessment with crisis support. It might be a home-cooked hot meal that we provide them. Then they’re moved through another program, it could be through Homeless United, which will pick them up and we will actively support that client to be housed if that’s what they want. Our focus is on the client.” – Allison

Homeless United, a program that began in 2017, started after Allison saw an unmet need in the Redland community. This saw 25 homeless individuals, each night of the week provided with a home-cooked meal. One requirement, Allison said was, “You joined our table. You didn’t take the meal and wander off into the darkness. We wanted you to come back and join society. Whatever that meant.”

This program successfully saw all 25 participants housed. One such participant had reached out to Allison after gambling away his money and his family. After entering their counselling services and Homeless United Program he was able to give back. With his help, he helped Allison develop and lead the Homeless United Program. Not only did this program see him find a roof over his head, but it also led him back to his family.

The success of this program continues today, despite being unfunded by the Government, and the Redland Community Centre has a remarkable 58% successful tenancy rate. In January 2024 alone, five homeless individuals found a safe place to live.

Many who access the Homeless United Program also find help through Money Finder and Financial Counselling Programs. Through these two programs, the Centre can understand why people are struggling to afford necessities, like food, Allison explained:

“The working poor are now faced with the most instability of all socio-demographic. Even your welfare dependent.”

Allison explained how people who access welfare and live in social housing usually spend about a quarter of their income on rent. Despite its being quite low, they know exactly how much they’ll pay, so they can plan their finances accordingly. This stability helps them manage their money better, whereas,

“The working poor, both parents are working, you’ve got childcare considerations. You’ve got just the cost of getting to work, looking good at work, all of this. Food, fuel…then the rent goes up, or the mortgage goes up. They are in all sorts of trouble. They are now living off credit cards.” – Allison

This is causing people to pay for groceries with buy now, pay later options. More and more service users are, unfortunately, living in denial of their financial situation.

With this reality now becoming the new norm, many of Foodbank’s frontline Charities, like Redland Community Centre are faced with an increasing demand for their services. You can assist, 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.

Foodbank Queensland Faces Perfect Storm as Demand Soars

Foodbank Queensland, the state’s largest hunger relief charity, is facing a perfect storm as the demand for food assistance skyrockets, while food donations plummet. This is placing immense strain on the charities’ ability to meet the needs of vulnerable communities across Queensland.

Rising cost-of-living expenses has led to a surge in the number of individuals and families seeking essential food relief. At the same time, Foodbank Queensland is grappling with a decline in food donations, which is impacting their ability to provide crucial support to those in need.

Farmers, who play a vital role in supplying excess stock to Foodbank Queensland, are dealing with their own financial pressures. As their costs escalate, farmers are finding themselves unable to contribute as much produce, impacting Foodbank Queensland’s ability to provide this fresh, nutritious food to Queenslanders facing hunger.

“The current situation presents a perfect storm for food insecurity in Queensland,” says Jess Watkinson, Chief Executive Officer of Foodbank Queensland.

“Last week we lost the support of Cross Family Farms due to the rising cost-of-living challenges. A generous farming family who supplied more than 1 million kilograms of farm fresh food to Foodbank Queensland per year. We are experiencing a significant increase in the number of Members, schools and communities who require food relief. However, the decline in food donations, particularly fresh produce from our generous Queensland farmers, is hampering our efforts to address this growing crisis.”

Almost half of the food donated to Foodbank Queensland is fresh fruit and vegetables from Queensland farmers. Last financial year, Foodbank Queensland rescued $37 million worth of fresh produce, which was provided to thousands of families in need at no cost.

Despite ongoing efforts to secure additional donations and support, Foodbank Queensland is struggling to provide enough food to the Members, schools and communities that rely on the essential food and grocery staples that Foodbank Queensland provides.

“We urge individuals, business owners and community organisations to help at this critical time,” says Jess.

“With their support, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who are facing hunger. Every contribution, whether a donation to Foodbank to help us source more food or a donation of food direct to your local charity, has the power to alleviate hunger and help those in need.”

Foodbank Queensland is committed to recognising their valued food donors and are supporting a National Food Donation Tax Incentive that would encourage more food donations.

“We support a new tax incentive for food donations to encourage food producers, manufacturers and retailers to donate more stock. The current tax regulation treats donating as no different to dumping,” says Jess.

“A National Food Donation Tax Incentive would support primary producers and other service providers who are committed to the reduction of food waste and to supporting Queensland households experiencing food insecurity.”

Foodbank Queensland remains committed to providing essential food relief to communities across the state.

To support Queenslanders in need, please visit www.foodbank.org.au to donate directly, or, to find a local charity who accepts food donations by using the Foodbank “Find Food” map.

Community Partner Story ADRA Logan Community Centre

Did you know that in the suburb of Logan Central, a simple food hamper goes beyond providing nourishment – it also brings empowerment?

As the cost-of-living crisis continues to soar, more families than ever are discovering the lifeline that a food hamper represents. A charity providing these vital lifelines is ADRA Community Centre in Logan Central.

Each week, over 200 hampers are provided to Queenslanders in need. Hampers are filled with essentials that families and individuals need to create nutritious and filling meals that silence the overwhelming noise of hunger. Essential groceries that help fill these hampers are collected from Foodbank Queensland. Brigita, Assistant Manager and Training Coordinator at ADRA Community Centre explained,

“We wouldn’t be able to do what we do without Foodbank. We get so much from Foodbank, it’s our main supplier. We love Foodbank.”– Brigita

This incredible partnership with ADRA Logan and Foodbank Queensland helps thousands of Queenslanders each year. As ADRA celebrates its 30^th year of operations, it’s important to recognise the countless lives the center has touched over the decades.

Brigita recounted a touching story of a woman in need who turned to ADRA Logan after being kicked out of her home by an abusive partner and left with nothing but a small suitcase. She turned to ADRA Logan as a lifeline.

“She had no food, no clothing, no nothing. Just a little bit of clothes that she was able to grab. So, we gave her food, we gave her a hamper, and I told her to keep coming back. About a month later she came back, and I opened the door, she said, ‘Remember me’? And she looked different because she wasn’t traumatised anymore, she looked happy.”– Brigita

The physical and mental change this woman found from a hamper of food and the connection between Brigita, ADRA Logan volunteers, and staff meant that this woman was able to get back on her feet. Today, she volunteers five days a week, because in her time of need, ADRA Logan was there for her, and now she is there for those experiencing similar situations.

“A lot of people that are volunteering here came first for food. And because they were helped, they now want to come and help somebody else.” – Brigita

Brigita shared her own incredible story of her time when volunteering at one of ADRA projects twelve years earlier. Food from Foodbank was cooked three nights a week for those homeless nearby, and Brigita volunteered as the cook. Brigita, who had previously fled from Bosnia during the war began chatting with a regular attendee.

“When I escaped the war, my father sent me out here, but my brother stayed in Bosnia and he died. Twelve years ago, I was serving the food there’s this guy…I see him all the time and one day I get talking to him.”

Brigita learned that this man had worked as a paramedic for UNICEF and visited war-torn countries, helping those in need. As a result, he has developed PTSD, making it difficult for him to interact with society.

“I realised he was exactly in the same town that my brother was in and at the same time. And he was a paramedic, so he could have been easily helping my brother. And I thought to myself, here’s a guy who didn’t have to go across the whole world to look after my family. And here he is saying to me, thank you for the meal. And there I am, saying that I should thank him for what he did 20 years before that.”– Brigita

The realisation that he had been in the same town as her brother highlighted the significance and reach of ADRA’s work. The importance of these programs and centres like ADRA Logan cannot be understated. ADRA Logan also provides emergency relief clothing and furniture through the on-site Op Shop. The centre also offers training in Certificate I Conservation and Ecosystem Management (CAEM) and Certificate I Hospitality. ADRA Logan not only helps with emergency relief but also extends its impact beyond its local community.

Under the Umbrella of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, ADRA Logan connects with other small churches across the state. As part of this connection, ADRA Logan teaches these churches to open their own pantries for their communities. This is all a part of their purpose, as Brigita explains, “That’s our mission so that people can have a pantry, in their own little community, within 15kms.”

With the support of Foodbank Queensland, it’s hoped that this mission is one day realised, as every Queenslander deserves access to nutritious food.

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 Lighthouse Care

For two decades, Lighthouse Care has been a valued Foodbank Member Charity, serving as an essential pillar within the Loganholme and Hillcrest communities. Founded by the Hill family, Lighthouse Care was sparked by Debbie Hill’s personal experience during a challenging period:

“My eyes were opened to a different world, and I said to my husband, we’re just going to give our lives to bring you hope. It was as simple as giving bread out of a van, and we just hoped to find three or four families that we could bring some hope to.”

Since 2004, that is exactly what Debbie, her husband Ron, and their children have been doing through Lighthouse Care. Starting from humble beginnings but eager to create a positive impact in the community, the Hill family began dedicating their time to delivering bread to those in need. This gradually expanded to include drinks and produce. As the demand increased, they moved the operations to a home living room and garage in Eagleby, creating a welcoming space for people to join Debbie and her family for a coffee. When the lease on the home ran out, Lighthouse Care needed a new space. Word got out about the wonderful work the Hill family was doing for families in need,

“We received a phone call from a local newspaper, and they did a front-page story of the work we were doing. And we got a call from PCYC saying you must keep going we’ll give you a small car garage and a cold room. And we started there, helping 30 families a week and within three years we were helping 300 a week.” – Debbie

By 2009, the operation required a large expansion to meet the increasing demand. This saw Lighthouse Care find its official home and own store where it currently operates from today. The store operates as your typical grocery market with a commercial fit-out and even online shopping, with click-and-collect or home delivery available to Logan, Brisbane, Ipswich, Bayside and the Gold Coast. All food is either heavily discounted or free to help struggling families make ends meet.

In 2023, Lighthouse Care supported, “75,000 families a year. We’ve also got our outlet in Hillcrest as well,” Debbie explained. Lighthouse Care’s incredible ability to support so many families is because of the hard work the Hill family and their team have put into the store and operations.

A big draw to many who know of Lighthouse Care is their $25 trolley, currently, they sell around 800 per week. The $25 trolley is full of groceries and essentials. Lighthouse Care also offers the ‘The Free Trolley Initiative’. This is a trolley that is available for struggling families who are in desperate need of assistance or are in emergencies.

Since 2004, Debbie, her family, and the Lighthouse Care team have continued to see the demand rise as the cost-of-living increases. Those who typically have never required assistance are now reaching out for help, as Debbie said,

“There was a lady parked out here one day in a lovely BMW car. She had white leather seats in the back and beautiful jewellery and makeup and she looked amazing. But she walked out of the car, and I just felt compelled to say, “I’d love to give you one of our trolleys today”. She burst into tears and just cried and cried and she said, “You’ll never know what that means to me”. So, whether it’s that person walking in here, whether someone who may be homeless. Everybody’s treated with dignity. That’s our core value.”

The above story is an example of Lighthouse Care’s ability and mission of, ‘Making lives better so that together we can make the world better’. Lighthouse Care’s transformation from a small family operation to the incredible locations and operations today is a testament to the need for their services. With Foodbank Queensland’s assistance, Lighthouse Care has been able to create a place of hope, support, and encouragement so people’s lives can be transformed.

“To everybody that donates to Foodbank, I just want to give huge thanks, because you are making a far bigger impact in our community than what you realise. For me, I’m the one that gets the thanks. I’m the one that sees the tears. I’m the one that gets to give the hope that you don’t get to see. I just want to say that you’re changing lives every day and if you have the capacity. You should donate to Foodbank.”

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 Indooroopilly Uniting Church

It’s difficult to imagine being forced to leave your home country. But this is the reality for many asylum seekers and refugees who are left with no choice. They are faced with seeking safety and starting a new life in a new country, where they don’t know the language and have no support systems in place. Imagine being hungry on top of this. Could you survive?

Indooroopilly Uniting Church Asylum Seeker and Refugee Support Hub provides vital services these vulnerable families and individuals need. Founded on the values of inclusivity and compassion, the Church’s Asylum Seeker and Refugee Support Hub serves as part of a support network for asylum seekers and refugees at risk of becoming homeless and unlawful.

Among its services, Indooroopilly Uniting Church provides clerical and administrative support – form-filling sessions – that assists refugees and asylum seekers and offers referrals to legal, housing, mental and physical health, and employment support services.

Working with Foodbank Queensland, the Hub supplies supplementary food and toiletries to assist in meeting the needs of this vulnerable community. Starting as a small initiative, the services have expanded to address the community’s increasing needs. Malcolm, Indooroopilly Uniting Church Hub Manager explained,

“The provision of food to people of a refugee background started as a very small pantry out at the front of the church. Church members had been going to Foodbank for a couple of years before that, supporting the wider community.” – Malcolm

Today, this pantry provides support to those in need, not only refugees but also to the homeless and unemployed. The demand for groceries increased when the Church shifted its focus to assist refugees and asylum seekers facing hardship.

“We started the targeted refugee work in around 2014, and it was initially some simple help with form filling. At that time, people who had recently been released from immigration detention were settled in the Indooroopilly area, but not allowed to work, so they had no source of income. So, the Church began to access more groceries through Foodbank to assist.”

As a result, the Church relocated the food pantry to a larger space to assist more families and individuals. Today, the Hub dedicates two afternoons per week to helping refugees and asylum seekers with food welfare and other support.

To provide access to a wider range of support services as a “one-stop-shop”, Indooroopilly Uniting Church is a part of a consortium called ASRA (Asylum Seeker and Refugee Assistance). This is a Queensland Government-funded program, coordinated by Communify Queensland, that assists people seeking asylum and refugees on short term visas who arrived by boat. Without the assistance of these vital programs, this disadvantaged group would face impossible and dangerous situations.

“Many of the people we support are on short term visas – some only for a few weeks or months. If you don’t have a permanent visa, you can’t get meaningful work to support yourself and your family.” – Malcolm

Many of these refugees and asylum seekers are facing impossible decisions after already experiencing persecution and discrimination in their own country. Malcolm described the situation of an archaeologist who was persecuted after questioning the lack of government funding for important antiquity sites. As a result, he and his family chose to flee and seek refuge in Australia. This is one example of the variety of individuals and families that seek and receive support at the Church’s Hub. While the food pantry is only one of the services the Hub provides, it provides food relief that Foodbank Queensland helps support.

“Foodbank has really been wonderful. As the Hub did during COVID, Foodbank is open through thick and thin. You do what you can because people still need to eat and so it’s been a great support for our work.” – Malcolm

With Foodbank Queensland’s support in providing groceries, the Hub can focus its donated resources on trying to provide these disadvantaged and vulnerable asylum seekers and refugees with the other tools they need to survive. Without this, these farmers, fishers, doctors, lawyers, teachers, mothers and grandmothers, and ultimately people just like us, would continue to fight an uphill battle without any support.

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

Belong Community Centre

For over two decades, Belong at Acacia Ridge has been providing a safe and welcoming centre, offering a space where individuals can feel comfortable accessing essential support. Supported by Communify, Belong is part of a network that includes several community centers across Brisbane that are working together to empower and support Brisbane residents.

The Belong Community Centre provides many services and programs to Brisbane South Side residents, including the Food Co-op, Emergency Relief, Skilling Office and Programs, Community Support Worker and the community navigator program, English and citizenship classes, free community lunches and community art classes. In addition to community events such as Party in the Park or RSPCA People and Pets Day.

Neighbourhood Centre Coordinator Miranda and Support Worker Trish are part of the incredible team at Belong. Miranda has been working in Neighbourhood centers since the 90s and has a passion for creating spaces for the community to connect and receive assistance. Trish’s motivation stems from a very personal connection with Belong, as she explained:

“I started here as a client and I got some help and then I started volunteering, then I did their business admin course through Skilling Queenslanders for Work, and then they offered me a job at reception. That was 7 years ago. So, I really believe in these places because of my own experiences.”– Trish

The Skilling Queensland for Work program, vital in assisting community members like Trish, goes beyond training. Kylie, the Coordinator, emphasises its role in creating connections and providing holistic support:

“Everyone comes together and connects and it’s not just about the services, it’s also about the connection with each other. It crosses over too, sometimes we have participants who need assistance so they’ll be referred to our Food Co-Op… so we can help them to keep them in the training so then they can go on and get the job. Get back on your feet and in a position where you can support yourself.”

Another large part of helping community members get back on their feet is the Food Co-Op which is open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. In the last financial year, it provided a staggering 26.7 tonnes of food relief, serving over 4,935 individuals. However, the demand has surged, with daily visitors increasing significantly, a trend Miranda observes:

“The demand is increasing, so I think we were getting maybe about 25 people a day, 12 months ago, and now we’re getting around 50 people a day.”

Those visiting the Food Co-Op include those who typically never have had to as Trish commented:

“The need for food has grown exponentially. One thing we’ve really noticed is that we have couples coming in who both work, and are still needing food assistance, so the increase in electricity and the rent increase, people just aren’t making it from week to week.” – Trish

The Food Co-Op couldn’t operate without the assistance of the incredible volunteers who assist with the pickup of food from Foodbank and other food rescue organisations, restocking of shelves, packaging fruit, and vegetables, and helping run the Co-Op.

The Co-Op operates on a raffle system, a volunteer takes each individual’s name for the draw. After this, names are randomly drawn to determine the order of who can access the Food Co-Op, as the limit is 2-3 people at a time. This also assists the volunteers and workers in ensuring everyone has access to food and no one goes without.

This welcoming space embraces individuals from diverse backgrounds, including asylum seekers and refugees. Miranda highlights the trauma associated with food scarcity faced by some clients, stemming from years spent in refugee camps:

“We’ve got people here who have spent 16-18 years in refugee camps, and they come here, and they get panic-stricken about food. It’s a trauma response around food because maybe tomorrow there will be no food. They’re not being greedy, they just want as much as they can get because they did not have access to fresh food.”

Staff and volunteers navigate this sensitively, aiming to provide a safe haven. Trish explained the fight or flight instinct over food:

“When you’re in survival mode you can’t blossom, you can’t grow, every day it’s a fight just to exist. Foodbank is giving organisations like Belong the opportunity to help people have a little bit of freedom.” – Trish

Miranda underscores the crucial role of Foodbank and our donors, emphasising how access to food enables Belong service users to fulfill basic needs and take significant strides forward in their lives.

“We couldn’t really operate without the donors of Foodbank and being able to access the food for people and how essential food is really. Without food people can’t move on, they can’t do training, they can’t do anything because they’re just focused on their basic needs, so it allows people to take that next step.” – Miranda

Belong stands as more than a centre—it’s a sanctuary, where individuals find the support, resources, and understanding they need to truly Belong.

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.

CEQ and Foodbank Queensland announce strategic partnership to combat hunger in Far North Queensland

Remote store operator Community Enterprise Queensland (CEQ) and Foodbank Queensland (FBQ) have partnered to tackle food insecurity on Cape York Peninsula and in the Torres Strait.

The joint Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) solidifies the commitment of both organisations to collaborate in achieving the shared goal of increasing food security and reducing hunger in the region.

The first MoU initiative launched is the School Breakfast Program, which started in Term 1 this year and involves 14 remote Far North Queensland (FNQ) remote schools.

The program provides breakfast to remote school students, aligning with CEQ’s Nutrition and Wellbeing Strategy 2023-2027 and Board commitment to support initiatives to improve nutrition and wellbeing in the communities it serves.

Key objectives outlined in the MoU include:

Collaboration: Both CEQ and FBQ will work together in identifying opportunities to collaborate and address food insecurity in FNQ.

Recognition of food insecurity: Undertake joint advocacy to address needs of the remote communities, being access to healthy, nutritious food.

Promotion of partnership and project: Increase awareness of CEQ and FBQ’s initiatives within the communities and promote to remote families.

CEQ Chief Executive Officer Michael Dykes said the collaboration between CEQ and FBQ marked a significant step towards creating sustainable solutions in the region, with a shared commitment to alleviate hunger and promote food security.

“The MoU is an exciting announcement and further reaffirms CEQ’s aim to support healthier, more sustainable communities,” he said.

“We are excited about the collaborative potential that this partnership brings, with the School Breakfast Program the first joint initiative with Foodbank Queensland, with many more to come.

“Through our ‘Good Pasin'(give back) program we cover the cost of freight from Cairns for the food provided by Foodbank Queensland, ensuring that nutritious breakfast products reach schools and communities throughout FNQ.

“This aligns seamlessly with our Board’s broader mission to support wellbeing, health, and nutrition, and educate future generations, in the regions we serve.”

Jess Watkinson, Chief Executive Officer of Foodbank Queensland, is excited to be working with CEQ to work towards addressing food insecurity in some remote communities.

“Foodbank Queensland is honoured to join forces with CEQ in our shared commitment to address hunger and improve nutrition in Far North Queensland,” she said.

“This strategic partnership allows us to leverage our strengths and resources to make a significant impact on the lives of children and young people, working towards a future where no one goes hungry.

“The positive impact of School Breakfast Programs on school attendance, and improved learning outcomes are well known, as well as promoting healthy eating habits to students.”

For more information on CEQ, visit www.ceqld.org.au

For more information on Foodbank Queensland, visit www.foodbank.org.au and select Queensland

Community Partner Story Authentic Church’s Community Care

If you found yourself in a position needing to choose between paying a bill or buying food, what would you do? Where would you turn?

Thankfully, Foodbank Member Charities, like Authentic Church’s Community Care, are here to help Queenslanders in need in the Logan region.

For the last four years, Melanie, Director of Community Care has put her heart and soul into the running of the Authentic Community Care Food Outlet. The Food Outlet provides low-cost and no-cost groceries and other essentials. These groceries are collected from the Foodbank Queensland Distribution Centre and other food rescue organisations.

The first three months of food hampers are free for those struggling to make ends meet. After this time, they are available for $25. They also offer a 10% discount on all low-cost groceries for the first six months. This program was created to help people end the cycle of disadvantage, as Melanie explained,

“The idea is it’s a hand-up, not a handout… We want people to keep their humility. While we can give out all the hampers that we want, we’re not actually breaking the cycle of helping people…Let’s get you on your feet.”

The Food Outlet is more than the physical items offered, it offers the intangible benefit of community, hope, and connection. Melanie’s genuine care for helping those in need doesn’t go unnoticed by users of the program.

“I’ll never ever forget a man turned up and it was just before Christmas and he said, “I’ve lost my job, we’ve got no money, we’re trying to get Centrelink”. So, we loaded their boot up, and this grown man just began to cry.”

Knowing the impact Melanie and her incredible team of 20 volunteers are making daily is a driving force behind Community Care. This connection and community offering is also available through the onsite café. The café operates as a space for community members to connect over a coffee and a bite to eat. As Melanie explained,

“Our cafe means there’s always someone you can have a conversation with. It is a connection to the community. We’re really big on community. That’s the heart and soul behind our cafe.”

Any funds made from the low-cost groceries, the op shop, and the café are all put back into the community. Melanie explained that a local student had recently been accepted to play Rugby down in Sydney, while her mother could pay for her flights, she was unable to afford her own. This is where Authentic Community Care chipped in to assist this local family. Under the umbrella of Community Care, the op shop also operates to support local families and individuals.

“There are agencies that reach out to us, and they’ll have a family that’s just gone into care and grandma’s just taken on the kids and they haven’t got clothes, they’ve come with nothing. And I’m like, “Yep, we can do two sets of clothes for everybody just to get them safe and started.” We don’t charge for that.”

So, if you were to ever find yourself in the position of needing assistance, it’s comforting to know that Foodbank Member Charities like Authentic Community Care exist. They exist not only for those who find themselves in desperate need but for anyone, “I don’t care if you’re driving a Mercedes. Looks are deceiving, so many people that have those cars are actually struggling to make ends meet” – Melanie.

With the rising cost of living and interest rate increases, many are just one bill away from skipping a meal or going an entire day without eating. But you can help. 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.

If you are a Queensland charity, Foodbank Queensland membership is a great way to support your food relief projects, offering your organisation a reliable source of food and groceries all year round.

Community Partner Story

The Twin Rivers Centre

For the last 26 years, the Twin Rivers Staff have supported Queenslanders in need and other charities throughout the state. At the heart of the charity is the support of the Twin Rivers Church and the Food Outlet Managers, Noel and Gayle. Starting with humble beginnings, Noel’s move to Brisbane from Hervey Bay saw him connect with Foodbank Queensland in the very early days.

“This started with one of my little trucks from my previous business and a few Eskies. I went to Foodbank and sowed a seed of 400 dollars out of my own pocket. This was back when Foodbank was in Fortitude Valley and there were only two staff at Foodbank.”– Noel

Throughout the last 26 years, Noel, Gayle, and the Centre’s team have built the Twin Rivers Food Outlet into a very successful and integral charity located on Brisbane’s south side. Operating under the vision and direction of the Twin Rivers Church, the Food Outlet plays a huge role in connecting, building, and equipping people for success in every area of life. The Food Outlet has received unwavering support from the Twin Rivers Church, with Pastor Bob Engwicht initially aiding the cause. Presently, Pastor Reuben Roos carries forward this support. His and the church’s steadfast backing plays a pivotal role in the centre’s accomplishments, enabling it to make a profound difference in the community.

Each day over 450 families rely upon the low-cost groceries the Twin River’s Food Outlet provides. That’s more than 100,000 clients annually, who are supported by the tireless efforts of the entire team at the Centre. However, in the last year, the increase in need is noticeable, as Noel discussed: “Now on average, 450 families per day, six days a week. Numbers have increased recently with RBA interest rises; the figures are around 480 per day.” – Noel

The operations of such a large charity would not be possible without the assistance of volunteers, staff, and Skilling Queensland trainees. These traineeships offered by the Twin Rivers Centre in partnership with the Queensland Government’s Skilling Queenslanders for work program, are another aspect of the work of the Twin Rivers Centre. As Gayle explained,

“We do retail traineeships here. We have ten trainees here and we have three in the café and five in admin. Every 18 weeks we offer that, and we put them through the course. They do their units, and we provide all the practicals.”

This is an important part of their work in assisting disadvantaged Queenslanders in gaining valuable skills, qualifications, and experience to enter and stay in the workforce. The Twin Rivers Centre also provides traineeships in hospitality, retail, and administration as well as offering counselling services and NDIS support. The opportunities provided by this and the access to low-cost groceries interlace closely with Noel and Gayle’s motto of, “a hand up and not a hand down”.

This is visually represented through the pristine presentation of the Twin Rivers Food Outlet store. When arriving, one might mistake the centre for a typical grocery store. Upon entering, service users can use the available trolleys, shop for products in the aisles and in the large commercial refrigerators, and check out at the counters with conveyor belts, serviced by the retail trainees. The best part – all products are heavily discounted.

“We don’t want them to feel like this is a charity. We want them to feel this is their weekly shop.We want people to walk in here, we’ve had people who have lost their jobs and almost feel embarrassed to come in. So, we’re very big on cleaning, keeping it neat and tidy. It’s hard enough to ask for help.” -Noel

Further adding to the dignity of the service provided here, Noel and Gayle chose this model of food relief after surveying their service users over 19 years ago to better understand how they wanted to receive food relief. The overwhelming response was being able to choose exactly what they wanted and needed.

“People know how much money they have to spend, so we wanted to provide something for them – a choice. We didn’t want to embarrass them when they got to the checkout.” – Gayle

With years of experience in running a large, successful charity, Noel, Gayle and the rest of the Twin Rivers Centre staff hope to help more Queenslanders in need through mentoring other charities.

“I have felt very strongly for a long time now about helping other smaller organisations that haven’t walked the road yet, that maybe don’t have facilities, don’t have storage. We’re connecting with a lot of smaller charities that just need a bit of mentoring because we’ve done this, I’ve done this for 26 years now, so I’ve learned one or two things.” – Noel

It hasn’t always been an easy path. In 2004, the building the Food Outlet was operating from was burnt down by vandals on a Saturday night. Noel explained how he would never forget the feeling of it:

“We were just standing there crying and we had customers come up to us and say, “Noel, you’ve got to reopen, please reopen. I can’t survive”.

By Tuesday morning Noel and his team had a council building just up the road, and the community gathered behind them dropping off fridges and freezers. The community’s rallying behind the Twin Rivers Centre is a testament to the importance this Centre holds in the Eagleby community.

Years of hard work have paid off with thousands and thousands of families accessing their services. Without Member Charities like the Twin Rivers Centre, Foodbank Queensland wouldn’t be able to reach as many Queenslanders in need.

“And it wouldn’t have happened, it wouldn’t have started without Foodbank. As much as I wanted to help people, it would not have started without Foodbank.” – Noel

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.