Loaves and Fishes charity set to open Toowoomba depot

STRUGGLING families will be able to buy $250 grocery hampers for about one-fifth of the price when a new charity sets up shop in Toowoomba.

STRUGGLING families will be able to buy $250 grocery hampers for about one-fifth of the price when a new charity sets up shop in Toowoomba.

Loaves and Fishes Street Meet Care Service volunteers are in the final throes of securing new premises in the Southgate Business Park in Harristown.

The Brisbane-based organisation has been helping to feed hundreds of Toowoomba families from a temporary outpost at a truck stop near Gatton.

Preparing for this week’s food hamper program at Toowoomba PCYC are (from left) Sgt Cam Crisp, Loaves and Fishes volunteers Bridie Archer, Charmaine Schilt and Ann Kelly and PCYC operations manager Mick Betros. . Picture: Chris Calcino

Volunteer Ann Kelly said the group abided by the principle that "no one leaves hungry".

"You don't have to be on government benefits or anything like that," she said.

"We don't care if you arrive in a Mercedes. If you show up, we assume you need help and we don't judge. We planned to do this once a month (in Toowoomba). We're doing it five times a month, so the need obviously exists.

"People have been driving all the way out to the truck stop near Gatton - we had 170 families come down last week alone.

"All of our publicity has been through word-of-mouth. We started a closed Facebook page and currently have 1000 registered members."

Toowoomba PCYC has offered to provide Loaves and Fishes with a temporary home closer to the city until their permanent office is secured.

Ms Kelly expected the contracts to be finalised within a month.

Hampers include food and household goods like toiletries.

The charity has also offered to provide free food to Toowoomba PCYC's Before School Care breakfast program.

"It will be fantastic to have them here," PCYC operations manager Mick Betros said.

To sign-up for the hamper program send a friend request to "Loaves and Fishes Toowoomba" on Facebook.

Originally published as Loaves and Fishes charity set to open Toowoomba depot