A Brisbane church is helping to ease cost of living pressures for families and individuals facing disadvantage in the city's southern suburbs.
Annerley Baptist Church uses funding from Carinity's Collaborative Community Projects grants to support between 60 and 70 homeless and socially isolated people each week via its Community Lunch.
The church's Community Support Worker, Bruce Riddel, said the lunches provide more than much-needed food relief.
"Our free weekly Community Lunch is designed to provide a sense of belonging with others in the community as well as meeting their food needs," Bruce said.
"Many are homeless or in insecure housing and this meal is an important source of nourishment. It is not just for the homeless but a cross section of the community.
"As our numbers grow we have capacity because of Carinity's support. It has meant that we have security to provide meals each week. It has also allowed us to purchase some kitchen equipment as needed."
The church's support also includes food hampers, weekly free food distribution, pastoral support, and onsite crisis accommodation.
"We have certainly experienced an increase in requests for food hampers and people attending the lunch and our weekly food distribution. We receive many requests for housing assistance," Bruce said.
Collaborative Community Projects funding has enabled Annerley Baptist Church to increase its capacity to support homeless people and refugee families living in a share house.
"The additional bedroom has extended the capacity to four bedrooms and provides greater flexibility for future guests," Bruce said.
"Our ministry to the homeless and those at risk of homelessness has seen Annerley Baptist become a hub for a range of supports for those in need.
"We often are told that they have been directed to us because they know 'the Baptist Church will help them'."
