Serving our People launches Australia’s largest Mobile Food Initiative

WORDS: Rose Manson PHOTOGRAPHY Supplied

One of Australia’s fastest growing charities, Serving Our People, has today announced the launch of Feeding Our People – a free mobile food market – as well as a permanent walk-in space in Kingston known as The People’s Market which was officially opened today by Federal Treasurer and Member for Rankin Jim Chalmers.

Chalmers joined Serving Our People Founder and President, Yas Daniel Matbouly, and hundreds of recipients at Kingston Community Centre to open the free supermarket and launch Feeding Our People, which plans to take free food and essential items to the public through mobile food markets.

“Serving Our People is an incredible organisation and Feeding Our People is an amazing initiative; I also want to point to the way that Serving Our People go and find communities in need, it’s not a static entity,” said Chalmers.

“Hitting the road at a time our more vulnerable people are finding it hard to get around in the community, going to where the need is and not expecting the need to come and find you, is something that we appreciate,” he added.

Mr Matbouly today welcomed the Federal Treasurer’s show of support, as he campaigns to expand the Feeding Our People initiative throughout Queensland and NSW. Once the program is fully established, it aims to assist 1.17 million recipients each year.

“We know that financial stress is building for people at the moment, and food can be one of the first thing that families sacrifice as they try to keep a roof over their heads,” said Mr Matbouly.

“Connecting with the local community is so important to us at Serving Our People, and Feeding Our People is another way for us to expand our act of service, taking essential food and household items directly to the streets and parks of those who need it most.”

Serving Our People, which began in Gold Coast during COVID, will also establish Logan’s first free supermarket at the Kingston Community Centre.

“Our growth into Logan is to provide immediate relief to as many people as possible who are experiencing food insecurity,” said Mr Matbouly. “By offering free food through our supermarket and mobile markets, we are committed to providing as much support as possible.”

Serving Our People says contributions from philanthropists and volunteers gave the charity momentum for the Feeding Our People initiative.

Entrepreneur and Brisbane-based property investor Sam Johnson has generously put forward $100,000 to help propel Feeding Our People’s pilot, after being a long-term supporter of the charity.

“I’m always looking to support Serving Our People and their tireless effort to support those who are less fortunate or in need of immediate relief. My real passion is supporting charities who give direct support to children and their families, many of which are suffering from a social disadvantage that is not their choice or doing” said Mr Johnson.

Philanthropist Mannu Kala, two-time Gold Coast Entrepreneur of the Year, also donated $40,000 for the Feeding Our People campaign.

“As an entrepreneur, it’s a real privilege to support an organisation like Serving Our People. Creating successful businesses and jobs is one thing, but contributing to life-changing support to people in the community who need it most is critical,” said Kala, co-founder of KnG Group.

Feeding Our People is also supported by Foodbank, which provides fresh fruit and vegetables and access to large quantities of nutritious food as well as ready-made meals to Serving Our People recipients, as one of its valued member charities.

For more information on Serving Our People, locations of Feeding Our People mobile food markets or to donate visit www.sop.org.au.

A COVID success story, Serving Our People first opened its doors in March 2020 as a logistics, delivery and emergency relief not-for-profit public benevolent institution.

Serving Our People has grown to a mobilised team of more than 2,500 volunteers across South-east Queensland and Northern New South Wales, delivering 450 meals a day, helping more than 1,950 recipients per week between Yarabilba, Gold Coast, Logan, Ipswich, Brisbane and the Northern Rivers region.

Serving Our People is one of Australia’s fastest growing charities, delivering anything to anyone in need and has supported the needs of thousands of individuals during times of crisis including during COVID, flooding, the ongoing rising cost of living, and refugees in need of support both in Australia and overseas.

Serving Our People has launched a charity lottery to raise money to support its programs that support the most vulnerable in the community, visit www.sop.org.au to buy a ticket and go in the draw to win a once in a lifetime experience.