Lifeline, Red Cross, Salvation Army, Tonys Community Kitchen – volunteer now

As natural disasters rock the state, and our overseas brothers and sisters face a war, now is as good a time than ever to lend a helping hand and volunteer. Here are 10 places you can help.

Residents are encouraged to get out and volunteer in the community. Just like (from left) David and Joan Melandri with the Salvation Army, Liela Ford OAM and Marion Dent from Lifeline, and Tony's Community Kitchen's Alison Hunter.

The recent floods have highlighted the need and Australian theme of lending a hand and helping your mate when needed.

With requests coming in on where to volunteer in our district, particularly in regards to the recent floods, The Chronicle has assembled a list of 10 places accepting volunteers.

1. Legacy

LEGACY LEGENDS: Toowoomba Legacy vice president Jock Crocombe, secretary David Scott, and president David Melandri need your help to help our military families. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Iconic Australian charity Legacy was founded on the promise made from one digger to another, “look after the missus and the kids”.

Legacy helps military families relieve financial hardships, connect with social events and groups, and provides additional opportunities for families, such as educational grants.

The Toowoomba Legacy office is looking for volunteers, also known as Legatees, to assist the families of those who gave their lives or health in service to their country.

With a strong military presence in the region, a majority of Legatees are veterans or former recipients of Legacy’s support.

The extent of commitment is up to the Legatee’s availability.

Call the office on 4632 2352 to find out more.

2. St Vincent de Paul Society

St Vincent's de Paul Society volunteers (from left) Deirdre Gardiner, Carole Rogan and Josephine Martini work with the Toowoomba refugee community. Picture: Kevin Farmer

St Vincent de Paul Society is one of the leading volunteer organisations within Australia, aimed at assisting people in need and combating social justice across Australia.

St Vincent de Paul Society assists with housing and homelessness, refugees and migrants, indigenous Australians, low-income support, children and education, and more.

Volunteers can assist with retail roles in the Vinnies stores, or with individual cases and those in need.

Visit the St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland website for more details.

3. Lifeline

Liela Ford OAM, 90 (left) and Marion Dent, 84 have volunteered with Darling Down’s Lifeline for decades, and are always excited for the annual Chronicle Lifeline Bookfest. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Australia’s largest suicide prevention service has an office in the Darling Downs, and residents can volunteer on a community level, though retail, fundraising, corporate, professional, administration assistant and book fair sections.

Additionally, volunteers can train as crisis supporters to assist the community when needed.

Lifeline provides compassionate support for people in crisis, with no judgment, conditions or agenda.

The organisation also offers a confidential crisis support network for anyone experiencing a personal crisis, contemplating suicide or caring for someone in a crisis.

Anyone interested in volunteering with Lifeline can take a quiz at the lifeline.org.au website to see what volunteer position will work best for them, and proceed forward.

4. The Salvation Army

David and Joan Melandri volunteer with the Salvation Army. Picture: Nev Madsen.

An international Christian movement that assists those where it’s needed most has an office in Toowoomba, and needs community volunteers willing to give their time.

Residents can volunteer through retail opportunities or events. The Salvation Army is involved in national issues while bringing hope to people who may be experiencing hardship or injustice.

According to their website, volunteering is an invitation to demonstrate care for others in our local communities; it is the everyday embodiment of love in action.

Those who give up their time so freely are some of the greatest contributors and advocates of Salvation Army mission and vision.

For more information, visit their website.

5. Meals on Wheels

(From left) Toowoomba Meals on Wheels volunteers, Lillian Fisher, Lola Jeffrey and Sue Tyson celebrated 60 years of the organisation in the region in 2020.

More than 9000 residents volunteer for Meals on Wheels around the Sunshine State, who contribute a few hours or even just once a month of their time towards the cause.

Volunteers give the vital support of allowing Queenslanders to live in their own homes and receive support by delivering healthy meals to ensure nutritional requirements are met.

According to the website, Volunteers may fill many roles from being drivers, delivering meals into people’s homes or assisting in community kitchens.

These roles are perfect for people who have a few hours in the mornings to early afternoon on weekdays.

Others may be able to provide office skills, helping set up databases, writing newsletters or preparing promotional flyers for events.

For more information, visit their website here.

6. The Smith Family

Grandmother Vanessa Mikaere is one of many who have been supported by The Smith Family. Picture: Richard Walker

A national, independent children’s charity aimed at helping disadvantaged Australians get the most out of their education is located right here in Toowoomba.

The Smith Family helps young children create a better future for themselves by providing long-term support for their participation in education.

According to their website, more than 1.2 million children and young people are living in poverty.

Volunteers can participate in various roles within the charity, including mentoring students and being involved in Learning Clubs.

To apply to be a volunteer, and for more information, visit their website here.

7. Tony’s Community Kitchen

Tony's Community Kitchen volunteer Alison Hunter loves selling mangoes. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Toowoomba’s very own Tony’s Community Kitchen is made up of over 150 volunteers who donate their time to assist those in need with nutritious meals, seven nights a week.

Volunteers prepare, cook and serve the region with healthy meals, seven nights a week, 365 days a year.

They provide a connection with those who need it to show someone cares and is willing to help and listen.

The kitchen also provides shower and laundry facilities.

To apply to be a volunteer, visit their website here.

8. Australian Red Cross

Leeann Eiser is proud to achieve 75 plasma donations at the Red Cross Blood Service in Toowoomba. Picture: Nev Madsen.

The Australian Red Cross assists individuals on an international level, including currently those stuck in the Ukrainian crisis, and those struggling with the Queensland and New South Wales floods.

Volunteers assist in a wide range or roles, including helping those homeless or at risk of homelessness, donating blood and plasma, providing mental health support, deliver information sessions about addictions, providing healthy breakfasts for kids, assisting older Australians to remain independent in their homes, and more.

Volunteers can also work within the Red Cross stores, or assist Emergency Services during a disaster.

For more information on how to get involved, visit their website here.

9. Food Assist

Daphne Raabe-Groves, Warehouse Manager Toowoomba Food Assist in 2011 with supplies. Photo Nev Madsen.

The Darling Downs sector of Food Assist provides food relief to people in need, with a dedicated team of volunteers.

According to their website, four million Australians experience food insecurity at some point of their lives.

Volunteering with Food Assist can create social connections, give you the opportunity to learn new skills and give back to the community and help others.

In Toowoomba, they can distribute over 30 tonnes of food into the district each week, and volunteers can assist with reception, forklift operations, packing of food parcels, truck driving, serving customers and making deliveries.

For more information on how you can get involved, visit their website here.

10. The Older Mens Network

2017 Australia Day Toowoomba Community Group or Event Award recipient The Older Mens Network accepted by Stan Carroll.

The Older Mens Network is a not-for-profit organisation that supports men over the age of 50 to improve their mental health and wellbeing, by creating connection opportunities with other men and providing additional support through local services.

Volunteers can regularly visit male residents in aged care facilities, work in a barbecue team, provide telephone support for isolated males, take part in a mentoring program to assist disadvantaged youth, and more.

For more details on the Network within the Darling Downs, visit their website here.

Do you know of more places with volunteer opportunities? Send an email to [e-mail].