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.