The café in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley provides low-cost meals and coffee as well as a range of support services to the city’s homeless and other people in need of a hand up. Importantly, Café One is a place to connect.
The Talbot Family Foundation kindly funded the new VW Caddy van, which will make it easier for the café to access fresh produce and other donated supplies in order to provide nutritious low-cost meals to people in need.
Amanda Talbot, wife of the late Ken Talbot, Chairman Don Nissen and the Foundation’s CEO, Lynne Gardner, last month officially handed the vehicle over to Penny Gillespie, State Director Mission Australia (pictured), at the café.
“They were really thrilled and all commented on the great vibe at the café and could really see its importance in the community,” said Helen O'Connor, Mission Australia’s Queensland Relationship Manager.
A Café One customer was moved to make a spontaneous speech, thanking Mission Australia and The Talbot Family Foundation for their support.
“She was incredibly thankful to the café and the staff - both past and present - for helping her along her journey because she now has a home and had worked incredibly hard to get there,” said Helen.
David* is a more recent Café One regular who appreciates the good food and support he has received there in recent weeks. Through his visits to Café One David has not only had access to nutritious food, but has found a safe place to stay after living on the streets.
When David came in asking for a meal at Café One’, the service’s Acting Team Leader Mitchell Peterson set up an account to ensure he could regularly access healthy food at the eatery. He also organised accommodation for David at Mission Australia’s Roma House.
“I was raised in a foster home since I was 18 months old until about 16,” David said. “Since then, I’ve come to places like Café One for advice, guidance and counselling. I’m 27 this year and I’d like to say Café One is a huge, great benefit and support network to the community and all people of society.
“The support I receive here is really hopeful,” he added. “At times during the week I can’t eat, so I come here for a feed that’s better than home-cooked meals and better than starving.
“My mum has been coming here for a few years and Café One supports her with food and counselling, which we all need as humans.”
Café One on Wickham relies on donations, local community support and volunteers to operate. As part of The Talbot Family Foundation’s long-term commitment to Mission Australia, Café One will receive a generous annual donation for five years.
If you would like to donate to Café One call 1800 88 88 68 or click on the ‘Donate’ button on the top left of our website. Local philanthropists who wish to support Café One can contact Helen O’Connor, Mission Australia Relationship Manager, on (07) 3394 8149.
Volunteering opportunities at Café One also regularly appear on the Volunteering section of our website.
*Name has been changed to protect the person’s identity
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