As the cost-of-living crisis has deepened over the past year, we have seen more and more people presenting to our neighbourhood centres in financial crisis, seeking emergency relief. Many of the people we supported with emergency relief this year had never experienced that level of financial hardship before, nor had they ever accessed welfare services. 

Collectively, our neighbourhood centres delivered over 3,100 emergency relief supports and assisted over 1,200 community members. We provide food relief services through three of our neighbourhood centres – North West Brisbane Community Hub, Acacia Ridge Community Centre, and New Farm Neighbourhood Centre. 

The Pantry at North West Brisbane Community Hub opens every Monday from 11am-1pm to offer free food items to eligible community members. The Pantry has closed for 2023, but will reopen on Monday 8th January 2024. 

The Food Co-Op at Acacia Ridge Community Centre opens Tuesday-Thursday from 9am-12pm to offer low-cost grocery items to community members. An annual membership fee of $5 grants access to the Food Co-Op all year round. The last Food Co-Op day for 2023 is next Thursday 14th December, after which it will be closed for the holiday period until it reopens on Tuesday 16th January 2024. 

New Farm Neighbourhood Centre offers food parcels in partnership with Secondbite, and these are available for eligible community members to pick up on Tuesdays.