Coast trainer on a mission to feed the masses
A prominent Sunshine Coast personal trainer is using his community reach and status for good, putting food on plates for more than 100 hungry mouths.
Sunshine Coast
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A PROMINENT Sunshine Coast personal trainer is using his reach and status for good, putting food on plates for more than 100 hungry mouths.
In the space of a few short weeks, the vision of Matthew Phillips has fast become a reality.
He has teamed up with Brisbane-based charity Hope Within Reach to help some of the region’s homeless and struggling people.
Every Monday night, Mr Phillips provides food to about 40 homeless people out of Cotton Tree Park, Maroochydore — numbers that are growing each week.
A bunch of community businesses — Fresh Fruits Maroochydore, Picnic Point Bakery and Brumbies Bakery — all pitched in with food, which is gathered and prepped by Mr Phillips.
Mr Phillips says this is just the beginning.
“The people who come, they don’t want a handout, they don’t want to be a bother, they’re still willing to put themselves last,” Mr Phillips said.
“I was gobsmacked at that.
“They just don’t want to be judged, and socialise.”
Mr Phillips said his position in the fitness community allowed him to have great reach.
He said his phone was constantly flooded with the community’s generosity to donate and aimed to expand to cover more areas and nights.
Mr Phillips has incorporated a healthy aspect to his meals.
“I am a sports nutritionist, so we are able to really add value in fresh fruit and vegetables to their diet,” he said.
“For me, I have the luxury of standing in a supermarket thinking about what I’m going to eat. “They don’t even know where their next meal is coming from.
“To have that comfort of knowing these guys feel safe and giving them something they don’t have is humbling.”
The nights are held at Cotton Tree Park every Monday from 6pm at the BBQ areas adjacent to Second Ave, Maroochydore.
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