From left, Pauline Sutherland, assistant leader, Jenni Lloyd-Ward leader, and Pastor Kevin Robinson.
Decade of support and care
From small beginnings the Glen Food Hub has grown into a vital community service that supports hundreds of families each week.
The initiative—started by volunteers from the Glen Innes Seventh-day Adventist Church in the New England region of New South Wales—is celebrating its 10-year anniversary this September.
In 2016, church members began to notice something they could not ignore—families in their community were doing it tough, and the need for practical support was growing. Rather than offering sympathy alone, a small group of volunteers took practical action. From that decision, the Glen Food Hub began.
Today, the hub helps hundreds of people across Glen Innes and surrounding communities. Rather than operating as a traditional food charity, it runs like a small grocery store, allowing people to browse shelves and choose the items their household needs. Food hampers are reserved for genuine emergencies.
The hub relies on the dedication of around 30 volunteers, including nine church members, 19 community volunteers, and three to four participants from the local correctional facility who give their time each week to keep the service running.
The approach preserves dignity and choice, and the community has responded positively. In recognition of its service, the Glen Food Hub was awarded Community Service of the Year at the 2024 Australia Day Awards.
Operating out of the church hall, the hub has outgrown its space. The dream is to have a dedicated building which would improve storage, create a better shopping-style environment for clients and allow the program to expand to serve the community more effectively.
By meeting everyday needs such as food security, volunteers demonstrate Jesus’ compassion in tangible ways and build relationships with those they serve.—Teresa Robinson
