“SERVING OUR PEOPLE”. Volunteers on a Journey of Support and Compassion

WORDS: Serving Our People PHOTOGRAPHY Kim Hanskamp plus Supplied

Serving Our People, launched in 2020 as a pickup and delivery service catering to vulnerable populations during the pandemic, has evolved into one of Australia’s fastest-growing charities. Spearheaded by President and Founder, Yas Matbouly, and bolstered by a force of over 3,000 dedicated volunteers, Serving Our People continues to go above and beyond for the communities in which it serves.

Serving Our People demonstrates an unwavering commitment to community service, exemplified by its expanding array of services available to those in need across Southeast Queensland and Northern New South Wales.

Mr. Matbouly underscores the organisation’s growth as being deeply rooted in its fundamental ethos of service. “Our primary objective has always been to extend compassionate and dignified aid to those in need, and I am immensely proud of our team’s accomplishments,” said Mr Matbouly.

Following the successful inauguration of ‘The People’s Market’ in 2022, Queensland’s first free supermarket on the Gold Coast, Serving Our People has proudly opened two additional free supermarkets, in Yarrabilba and Loganholme in August and October 2023.

Since its opening, The People’s Market Loganholme has supported more than 25,000 individuals grappling with food insecurity, with demand only trajecting upwards.

In response to the rising demand for free groceries, driven by the escalating cost of living crisis, Serving Our People is set to triple its services in Logan by May 2024 through the establishment of two additional ‘The People’s Markets’ in Kingston and Beenleigh.

“We remain steadfast in our mission to expand our services and offer support to as many individuals as possible, particularly in light of the mounting financial pressures local communities are facing,” said Mr. Matbouly.

In December 2023, Serving Our People celebrated the opening of its second not-for-profit coffee shop, Served, at Pacific Fair, with 100% of profits donated back to the charity.

“Served is a meaningful and unique charitable concept that offers an easy way for the community to give back to an important cause,” said Mr. Matbouly.

“Following the launch of our first Café Served location at our headquarters in Mermaid Beach in December 2022, it’s great to have opened a second location where 100% of profits are channelled back into our support services.”

As Serving Our People celebrates its fourth anniversary this year, the organisation remains resolute in its commitment to uplifting and empowering the community. Plans for the ‘Feeding Our People’ initiative are underway, which will see the deployment of mobile food booths across Southeast Queensland, supporting more than 500,000 individuals grappling with the escalating cost of living crisis.

“We currently support more than 5,000 people each week through The People’s Market. With more government and community support, we can meaningfully extend this reach even further,’’ said Mr. Matbouly.