Community Partner Story

Marsden Community Assist

14 05 2026 Reach Out Community Staff Holding Avocados Everton Park Tiyla

Each week, hundreds of local families, retirees and kindergarten children benefit from the work of Marsden Community Assist, a community pantry built on the simple belief that food should be accessible and affordable for all.

Founded in 2023, Marsden Community Assist supports around 700 families while also providing free food to local retirement villages and kindergartens. Founders Jean and Shane started the pantry after noticing children arriving at kindergarten without fresh fruit or nutritious food.

“We saw a need. Kids weren’t coming to kindy with fresh fruit, so we asked the centres, ‘How can we help?’ That’s really where it all started,” Jean said.

14 05 2026 Reach Out Community Pantry Everton Park 2

14 05 2026 Reach Out Community Pantry Everton Park 4

Operating as full-time carers for their two young adult children with disabilities, the couple run the service around their caring responsibilities, often opening outside regular hours to ensure people can access food when they need to.

“Life happens,” Shane said. “You’ve got single parents, people who work, people juggling all sorts of things. If someone messages and asks if we’re around, we’ll often open the gate and work with them.”

When asked about the demographic they service, they said that while the pantry initially saw mostly younger families seeking assistance, they are now supporting increasing numbers of older Queenslanders and double-income households struggling with rising living costs.

“People you would least expect are coming through,” Jean said. he stated.

14 05 2026 Reach Out Community Fresh Food Everton Park

14 05 2026 Reach Out Community Pantry Everton Park

Every Friday, they collect food from Foodbank Queensland and work alongside other Community Partners to ensure as much food as possible reaches the local community.

“We’ve built quite a good community. If there are bulk pallets available that are too much for one pantry, we’ll work together and split it out. It’s really good utilisation,” Jean said.

One of their most valued initiatives is providing free food support to local retirement villages and kindergartens. Regular deliveries of bread, fresh produce and other pantry staples are eagerly anticipated by both staff and residents.

“The kids all come up to the fence and they’re like, ‘Oh, it’s the bread man,'” Shane laughed.

For Jean and Shane, the work is driven by a simple belief that everyone deserves access to affordable food and support during difficult times.

“Sometimes people come in with $10, $20 or $50 and they’re trying to make it stretch. You want them to walk out knowing some of that burden has been lifted.”

Thanks to the support of Foodbank Queensland, Marsden Community Assist continues to create a stronger, more connected community where families, retirees and children can access the food and support they need.