A community service enterprise in southern Brisbane which assists over 600 households each week has expanded with support from Carinity.
The Open Hands Neighbourhood Marketplace in Pallara has opened a new larger shopfront for its food relief program.
Operated by The House of Prayer, the marketplace supports refugees, migrants, individuals and families facing the challenges of the cost-of-living crisis.
Service users can access discounted foods and groceries - up to 75% off retail prices - as well as free food hampers.
Funding from Carinity's Collaborative Community Projects has supplied a new demountable building which houses a larger shop offering a greater range of grocery products.
Sherifaye Kargbo from The House of Prayer said the new marketplace is double the size of the previous site, which commenced supporting people in need in 2020 as a direct response to the COVID pandemic.
Since that time, the number of people supported by Open Hands Neighbourhood Marketplace each week has increased five-fold.
As well as people from the local area, people from as far away as Bundaberg, Morayfield and the Gold Coast have received assistance.
"Through the Carinity grant, we have been able to expand our current Neighbourhood Marketplace for greater reach, engagement and impact," Sherifaye said.
"The new shopfront has enabled us to increase access to local produce and food items, whilst creating an avenue for greater and enhanced sense of place and belonging.
"This expansion has meant that we are able to meet up with the ever-increasing demand of our pantry and free food hampers, and thus having a much greater impact within our community."
Sherifaye said the rising cost of living has resulted in an "exponential increase in service users" over the past 18 months, with 75% more households seeking assistance each week.
The new Open Hands Neighbourhood Marketplace shopfront was officially opened by The House of Prayer elders and State Member for Algester, Leeann Enoch.
"Open Hands is dedicated to providing essential support and food relief to individuals and families, and this new shopfront will allow them to continue their community support in a safe, supportive environment," Leeann said.
"Through its various programs and services, Open Hands provides food relief services, disability support, advocacy and advisory services, an outreach program and general community well-being which fosters a more resilient and connected community here in Pallara and the surrounding suburbs.
"I am pleased to support this wonderful organisation in their endeavours."
Carinity's Collaborative Community Projects funding supports Baptist church projects to help relieve and mitigate disadvantage, promote connectivity for vulnerable people, and increase the strength of local neighbourhoods.
