As the cost of living continues to rise, food banks and pantries are becoming more essential in suburbs across Logan, providing a crucial support system for families facing financial difficulties.
The latest addition to this network is the Parklands Community Grocer in Park Ridge, which officially opened its doors to offer affordable food and other essential services to residents.
Senior pastor at Parklands Christian Centre, Mike Warman, explained that the idea had been in the works for over 15 years.
“We’ve been providing food parcels and support for years, but we saw an increasing need and realised we needed a more formal space to help even more people,” Mr Warman said.
The transition from small-scale operations to a dedicated food pantry has been a significant step forward, especially as the economic pressures on families grow.
The Parklands Community Grocer is currently in its soft launch phase, with minimal advertising so far.
Despite this, the community response has been overwhelming, with many residents already seeking affordable groceries.
“We’re still testing the waters, seeing how many people we can serve and making sure we have enough stock,” Mr Warman said.
“But the grocer has been pretty busy over the last few weeks so it’s a good sign that it was a much-needed addition to the area.”
The grocer has sourced food through partnerships with organisations like Food Bank and Metcash, as well as local suppliers, including the Rocklea Markets and sourced meat from Dalby.
Looking ahead, the Parklands Community Grocer plans to expand its offerings beyond just food.
“We want to create a community hub,” Mr Warman said.
“Our long-term vision includes opening an op shop, a laundromat where people can do their laundry for free, a café, a barber and even job readiness programs.”
These additional services aim to provide holistic support to families struggling to make ends meet, offering everything from financial help to job training, and ensuring people have access to basic needs like clean clothes and a haircut.
Mr Warman said that the services are not just for those facing homelessness or unemployment but for anyone impacted by the rising cost of living.
“It’s for anyone who’s struggling with the cost of groceries, bills, or just everyday life,” he said.
“If we can help people save a little bit of money, that’s what we’re here for.”
List of food banks and pantries in Logan:
Parklands Community Grocer
Logan Reserve Food Pantry, Logan Reserve Seventh Day Adventist Church
Defenders For Hope, Jimboomba
Impact Care Services, Jimboomba and Slacks Creek
Onwards and Upwards, Flagstone
Warm Hearts Warm Bellies The Street Ministry Inc, Browns Plains
Logan West Community Pantry, Boronia Heights
Lighthouse Calvary Care, Hillcrest and Loganholme
Authentic Church Food Pantry, Meadowbrook
ADRA Community Centre, Logan Central
Tribe of Judah Care Service, Slacks Creek
Twin Rivers Food Co-Op, Eagleby
Uniting Church, Mount Warren Park
