Queensland Food Charities Under Strain as Demand Soars and Costs Rise
A national report has found approximately one in three Australian households experienced some level of food insecurity in the past year.
Food relief charities across Queensland are reporting a surge in demand for their services, coupled with tighter food supplies and escalating operating costs. This combination is placing immense pressure on the sector, with some organizations closing their doors and others struggling to remain open.
Rising Demand Across the State
Urban Angels, a Sunshine Coast charity delivering approximately 13,000 meals monthly, reports demand has increased significantly since December. Further north, Mission Australia's Hambledon House in Cairns notes emergency food relief requests are "dramatically rising," with more "working poor" families seeking help.
The scale of the issue is underscored by recent reports. The Foodbank Hunger Report 2025 highlights the national picture, while a Foodbank Queensland report showed 43% of Townsville households were deemed "food insecure" last year, with regional areas generally showing higher rates than cities.
A 2025 Queensland Council of Social Service report quantified the pressure on service providers, finding 80% of organizations helping communities reported a significant rise in demand over the past year, with 90% unable to meet current needs.
Charities Facing Financial Pressure
The increased demand comes as charities themselves grapple with financial challenges.
- Victory Care, a food charity in Gympie, closed in January after 16 years of operation. Pastor George Miller cited rising transport, supply, and operating costs as factors.
- Life Care's food pantry in Mundubbera is struggling to remain open due to increased costs and difficulty securing grants and government funding.
- Gateway Care, which has helped over 40,000 families on the Sunshine Coast over 25 years, reported significant losses in 2024 due to changes in supermarket supply and rising costs. The organization anticipated a $5 million pre-election LNP funding commitment from 2024 but stated it has not received this funding as of 2026.
Sue Woodward, commissioner of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission, stated charities consistently report rising demand for essential services, "sometimes faster than charities can accommodate."
Government Response
A spokesperson for Queensland's Department of Families, Seniors, Disability Services and Child Safety addressed the funding commitment to Gateway Care, stating work to deliver the previously announced $5 million is "ongoing."
The department also outlined other support, noting $3.57 million over two years from 2024-25 has strengthened SecondBite and OzHarvest food relief capacity statewide, and $2.88 million over four years has supported Foodbank Queensland infrastructure upgrades.