It’s a sad truth, but for some families, there may come a time when they face a crisis. A recent post on our Facebook page highlighted one such case, where a family’s situation left them with nothing but the clothes on their backs. For anyone in this situation, it can be hard to know where to turn for help. We turned to our awesome followers, and you came back with so many amazing resources that we knew we had to share them in case they can be of help to other families in need.
Emergency
If you are in danger right now, please call 000 for the police or ambulance service.
Welfare Organisations
There are many welfare organisations in Brisbane that families in crisis can turn to for help.
St Vincent de Paul (Vinnies)
St Vincent de Paul provides a range of help for families in need, including crisis accommodation, financial support services and food. To find out more about any of these areas, click here or visit a local Vinnies centre or shop, or call (07) 3010 1096.
The Salvation Army (Salvos)
The Salvation Army offers emergency relief and material aid for families in crisis, ranging from meals or food vouchers to emergency accommodation. Click here to find help, visit a centre or call their 24-hour care line on 1300 36 36 22.
Ozcare
Ozcare can provide temporary accommodation in hostels or refuges, as well as other support services. Click here to see all of their services or call 1800 692 273.
Assist A Sista
Assist A Sista supports families faced with domestic violence. Through their Facebook page, they facilitate donations of clothing, furniture, non-perishable food items, toys and other essential and non-essential comfort items.
Family and Kids — Care Foundation
The Family and Kids Care Foundation can help with anything from food parcels and financial assistance to counselling and accommodation support. Visit their website, their centre (254 Jacaranda Avenue, Kingston) or call (07) 3808 5288.
Mercy Family Services
Mercy Family Services offers counselling, multicultural programmes, out-of-home care and other support services for families and children. To find your nearest centre, visit their website or call (07) 3267 9000.
Centacare
Centacare provides support services, counselling and programmes relating to families and children. There is a fee for some service but many are free. For more information, click here or call (07) 3324 3100.
Helplines
There are many helplines available that can provide, support, advice and direction for families in need.
Lifeline
Call Lifeline on 13 11 14 for crisis support chat.
DV Connect
For support in cases of domestic violence, call the DV Connect women’s helpline on 1800 811 811 or the men’s helpline on 1800 600 636.
Kids Helpline
Kids from 5 to 25 can call Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800 for FREE and CONFIDENTIAL counselling or advice.
Beyond Blue
Talk through any problems, big or small, with Beyond Blue. Call 1300 22 4636 or chat confidentially online with a trained professional at beyondblue.org.au.
Accommodation
On top of the organisations and helplines listed above, you can also refer to the Brisbane community directory for up-to-date information on crisis and emergency accommodation in Brisbane. Click here to see the listed services.
Homeless help
Here is a whole collection of resources for those who need emergency housing.
The Queensland Government has a crisis line for families who are at risk of homelessness and information about where to find emergency accommodation https://www.qld.gov.au/housing/emergency-temporary-accommodation
Public Housing
It might take some time but getting on the list for public housing is a good first step https://www.qld.gov.au/housing/public-community-housing/eligibility-applying-for-housing
Food Services
There are lots of food support services in Brisbane. Here are the main ones we are aware of.
Lighthouse Care
You can get low cost groceries (i.e. a trolley full for $25) and other necessary items from Lighthouse Care. They are located in Loganholme (17-19 Monte-Khoury Drive) and Hillcrest (3/20 Central Court), and they even do online orders for some locations.
Nexus Care
Nexus Care can provide low-cost food parcels of quality food for those in need. Visit their website for more info or call them on (07) 3353 7230.
Hillsong Citycare
Hillsong Citycare can offer grocery hampers and food, as well as financial assistance and prescription vouchers for those in need. Visit citycare.hillsong.com or call (07) 3422 8565.
Roma House
Roma House (535 Wickham Terrace, Spring Hill) provides services and free meals for the homeless and can be contacted on (07) 3839 1826.
Foodbank
You can also contact Foodbank Queensland on (07) 3395 8422 to find an organisation near you that can help with any food needs.
Churches
Many churches give out free food, including Tribe of Judah (8.30am at 16 Queens Road, Slacks Creek) and Trinity Pantry (874 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley).
Your local church may also be able to provide support or direct you to the nearest place for support in your community.
More
More places providing food assistance can be found at www.qld.gov.au. Or visit Grant the Polite Guy’s blog for homeless help and Brisbane food vans times and locations.
Goods
If you are in urgent need of money, visit your local Centrelink. (You can find your nearest one here.)They can provide an emergency relief for groceries or clothing. You may also be eligible for a crisis payment, urgent payment or advance payment to help.
Making a Difference — Brisbane
Making a Difference can provide and deliver things such as good quality household items and packs of cleaning and toiletry items. They can be reached on their Facebook page.
There are several Facebook sites offering items for free, such as Things For Free in Brisbane, Freewheelers Brisbane (formerly Freecycle), or one of the Pay it Forward groups in Brisbane.
How you can help
Many of the organisations and groups above rely on donations from the public to help them support families in need. If you are fortunate enough to not be a family in need and you would like to help others, please contact any of the above organisations or visit givit.org.au.
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