Toowoomba Op Shop school feeding program

The ADRA Op Shop Toowoomba is helping to feed children who have come to school without eating breakfast. 

The op shop is partnering with two schools in the area to run breakfast programs – Darling Downs Christian School and North Toowoomba State School – and the food programs operate differently in each school.  

“We currently run a breakfast program at Darling Downs Christian School on Wednesdays and Thursdays, but we’re looking into doing it every day,” says Lisa Booth, manager at the ADRA Op Shop Toowoomba. 

The breakfasts are coordinated and distributed by a group of dedicated senior students who have taken on the program. The food is served in individual packs with Weet-Bix, a fruit cup, a muesli bar, either soy or regular milk, and a bowl and spoon. Importantly, the breakfast is offered to all students.

“Making the breakfast available to everyone puts everyone on the same level, so no-one feels singled out,” Lisa says. 

Principal Heidi Mazz says, “So many kids start the day without breakfast. This can have a detrimental impact on learning and social interactions. But now, students can start the learning day with food in their belly. We also see some students having breakfast and then asking to take a second pack for lunch as they don’t have lunch.” 

The Darling Downs Christian School breakfast program was introduced in the second term of 2023, and although it’s a new initiative, it has gained a lot of traction. 

Lisa says, “A senior student at the school approached me and said, ‘Lisa, I’d really love to do a special breakfast once a term.’ She told me that there are so many kids that are not eating breakfast and then on sports days they’ve got to do a three-kilometre run on an empty stomach.” 

Looking ahead to big event days on the school calendar, the plan is for the ADRA Op Shop Toowoomba to source the food and supplies, and then the senior students will help to prepare and serve the food.

“We can provide shake-a-pancake mix and some fruit and toast and spreads, and the seniors will cook the toast, they’ll flip the pancakes, they’ll serve it all,” Lisa says. “It’s really important to the success of the program that they have taken ownership.” 

Heidi adds, “It has been a wonderful, service-oriented opportunity for our students to become involved. I cannot thank ADRA enough for the time and resources they have invested in supporting our school community in this way.” 

At North Toowoomba State School, breakfast and lunch is offered every day in a discreet manner for students who would otherwise go without. In collaboration with SecondBite, food is delivered to the community liaison officer, Vida Suhan, who is well known by the students. 

“We have many students and families here that struggle to provide breakfast or lunches on a daily basis,” Vida says. “The economy is getting worse, and our families are struggling with everyday expenses as it is.” 

If a student is sent to school without any food, they can seek out Vida who will provide them with a sandwich, a piece of fruit, and a snack item like a muesli bar. 

“(ADRA) provides extra care and food, so our students can come to school to learn and be happy,” says Vida. 

ADRA Op Shop Toowoomba also partners with Darling Downs Christian College for its Christmas hamper. A basket is left in each classroom and students are invited to contribute an item to go into the Christmas hampers. 

“I did a talk at the school last year and gave them ideas of what to contribute to the hampers,” Lisa says. “So, don’t just donate a tin of baked beans, donate something you’d like to eat on Christmas Day. Something that kids will unwrap and go, ‘Yay! I get some chocolate biscuits.’” 

The Christmas hampers are distributed to families doing it tough so they can have a Christmas celebration. 

“The tears flow every time someone comes to pick up a hamper,” Lisa says. “It makes such a difference.” 

The ADRA Op Shop Toowoomba is one of over 100 Australian community projects, run in collaboration with local Seventh-day Adventist Churches. To learn more, visit adra.org.au/projects.