Volunteers find love while giving back to the community

As Toowoomba’s Loaves and Fishes owners celebrate two big years in business, two very special couples celebrate where their love stories all began.

TRUE LOVE: Robert Slater and Kathleen Mott (left) and Joshua Clarke and Angelique Faulkner all found love while working and volunteering at Loaves and Fishes Toowoomba. Picture: Kevin Farmer.

Forget Tinder, Bumble and Plenty of Fish, when it comes to finding love in Toowoomba it appears Loaves and Fishes is the place to be.

The food hamper organisation marked two years since new owners Kylie and Michael Jennings took over running the show and with two engagements and an upcoming wedding on the way there was plenty of reason to celebrate.

Kathleen Mott (left) and Angelique Faulkner make food hampers as food charity Loaves and Fishes celebrate their second anniversary under new owners. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Part-time employee Angelique Faulkner has been volunteering and working at Loaves and Fishes for two and a half years where she met fellow volunteer Joshua Clarke, who recently proposed to the dedicated produce packaging expert.

“After losing my first husband I was very shy and found it really hard to meet people,” she said.

“I’d been a stay at home mum my entire adult life so becoming part of Loaves and Fishes has given me so much confidence as well as the skills to find more work in a large grocery retailer.”

Angelique Faulkner and Josh Clark met while working together at charity food provider Loaves and Fishes. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Incredibly, Kathleen Mott and her fiance Robert Slater’s romantic tale followed a very similar path.

“After losing my husband of 45 years I became quite lost and lonely and I never thought I’d leave the house let along find love again,” she said.

“After volunteering at Loaves and Fishes for a few weeks I ended up making a whole new set of wonderful friends and I ended up meeting Rob which has completely turned my life around.”

Kathleen Mott and Robert Slater found love volunteering at food charity Loaves and Fishes. Picture: Kevin Farmer

While Ms Faulkner and Mr Clarke are yet to set a date, Ms Mott and Mr Slater have their nuptials planned for July 17 but the two are not planning to honeymoon for long.

“We both enjoy coming in and doing a few hours of volunteering whenever we can as it feels good to be busy,” Ms Mott said.

“I don’t know where we’d be without Loaves and Fishes, it’s certainly the best decision I ever made. We both hope to help for many years to come.”

Kathleen Mott and Robert Slater. Picture: Kevin Farmer