Toowoomba cost-of-living and accommodation charities awarded up to $50,000

Seven Toowoomba charities which work to provide accommodation and cost-of-living respite have received grants from the Qld Gives fund of up to $50,000.

Joe Roberson (Rosies: Friends on the Street), Tony McEwan (Help a Friend Club) and Ann Lampe (Rosies: Friends on the Street) were two charities who received grants from Queensland Gives in 2024. July 22, 2024. Picture: Christine Schindler

A number of Toowoomba charities have benefited from the generosity of Qld Gives regional fund of $50,000, but while the money is gratefully received, the funding is only a drop in the ocean compared to what is needed.

The pressure and increase from cost-of-living and accommodation has been the biggest requirement to Rosies and Help a Friend, two charities who received benefits from the fund.

Rosie’s branch co-ordinator Joe Roberson said the charity had a 45 per cent increase in people accessing their services in 2022-2023, and this year the number was increasing.

While more help was needed across the board, the main issue was around accommodation and cost-of-living, more families “needing basics” such as bread, milk, shampoo and personal items in a bid to save money for food, their kids, or an electricity bill, Mr Roberson said.

Help a Friend Club finance manager Tony McEwan said they were receiving 15 inquiries each week from people who are experiencing homelessness or need help, an average of more than two each day.

“The majority of these people have never had to ask for help in the past, it is that bad out there at the moment,” Mr McEwan said.

Help a Friend Club received almost $14,000 for Daisy House which provides short and long term accommodation for those experiencing homelessness.

“There’s a lot of other good organisations out there doing work, but the government really needs to stand up and do a lot more,” Mr McEwan said.

Help a Friend Friend Club, Hair Aid, Loaves and Fishes, Rosie’s, Toowoomba Hospice Association, Top Livin and Support Finder were the 2024 recipients of the Queensland Gives, a charitable trust set up in 1997 by former Qld Premier Mike Ahern.

The fund distributed up to $50,000 between the seven charities.