OUR
OP SHOP
WHAT
WE DO.
FUNDING OUR KITCHEN.
Our Op Shop helps fund our Kitchen. It costs $260 per day to run our Community Kitchen, the sales from our Op Shop help fund this as well as community donations.
A FRIENDLY EAR.
We provide a friendly ear where people can come and talk to us about what is troubling them.
IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE.
We believe in improving the quality of life of the people who come to us by welcoming them to a safe inclusive and non-judgmental environment.
A SAFE & CARING ENVIRONMENT.
We provide a safe and caring environment where people can come together and connect with others of similar circumstances.
RAISE AWARENESS.
We believe strongly in raising awareness of the homeless and those at risk of homelessness in the Toowoomba community. Our Op Shop helps us reach more people in need and allows our community to help those in need by purchasing items.
GIVE BACK TO COMMUNITY.
We are a hub and an outlet for those generous people in the grassroots community who want to support people in real need but don’t know how to. As we are 100% staffed by volunteers, you can be assured that everything that you donate will directly support those who need it.
FAQ!
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How can I get involved as a volunteer?We welcome new volunteers to assist with cooking meals from home, serving meals at the kitchen and picking up donated food from various local businesses.
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What service does Tony's Community Kitchen provide?Tony’s Community Kitchen is a not-for-profit organisation and is the only out-of-hours service in Toowoomba that provides nutritious meals, a shower and laundry facilities, from 4.30-6.30pm, 365 days of the year.
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Where is Tony's Community Kitchen located?Tony’s Community Kitchen is located at 174a James Street, Toowoomba.
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What can I donate?We welcome donations of non-perishable foods and items such as toiletries, large black garbage bags and rubber gloves. You can drop your donations off at Tony’s Community Kitchen at 174a James Street between 3-5 pm on Monday, Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday. If you would prefer to donate money instead of goods, please know that every cent donated goes to keeping our doors open and providing support to those in need, as we are 100% staffed by volunteers. Donations over $2 are tax-deductible.
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Who will benefit from my donations?Men, women and children of all ages from all cultural backgrounds, that are homeless or at risk of homelessness and experiencing economic stress or social isolation. We look after people who have addictions, mental health issues, experiencing domestic violence and who do not fit the ‘system’. Please note that as we are 100% staffed by volunteers, every cent of donated money goes to keeping our doors open and providing support to those in need.
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What qualifications do I need to be a volunteer?Cooks and handlers of food need to complete the free Food Safety Training course on the Toowoomba Regional Council website. This training is a Work Health & Safety requirement.
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Should I volunteer or should I donate money?We welcome new volunteers to assist with cooking meals from home, serving meals at the kitchen and picking up donated food from various local businesses. We know that some people lead very busy lives, so if you would like to help out but are time poor, giving a donation also helps us to keep our doors open. All donations over $2 are tax deductible.
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How can my business support Tony's Community Kitchen?Your business can support Tony’s Community Kitchen by either donating food, organising a fundraiser or by making a monetary donation on a monthly basis or as a one-off contribution. Contact us to talk about how your business can help.
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Can local clubs get involved?Yes! We welcome local community clubs to get involved. This might include cooking meals, making a monetary donation, or running a fundraiser, we are open to suggestions. Contact us to find out how your club can get involved.
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Is it possible for our school community to get involved?Absolutely! We welcome school communities and the awareness that it brings to the issues surrounding homelessness and that they rely on the support of the community to survive on a daily basis. Your school can help us by cooking meals or by running a donation drive of non-perishable goods and toiletries for those people most in need. We are also open to any suggestions that your school community might have in how they can help. Please contact us to get your school involved.
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How much of what I donate goes to those in need?We are 100% staffed by volunteers, which means that every cent donated goes to keeping our doors open and providing support to those in need.
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Who is Tony from Tony's Community Kitchen?From a young age, Anthony Hurle, or Tony as he prefers to be known has been helping people within the community. A Wilsonton boy growing up in a single-parent family, Tony loved his community and has been involved with the homeless and disadvantaged for many years. From a humble beginning, which started Tuesday and Thursday nights with BBQs at the Clewley Park facilities to now providing nutritious home-cooked meals 7 nights a week, 365 nights of the year. Tony’s Community Kitchen is open every night so the homeless and disadvantaged in our community don’t go without.
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I have non-perishable food and toiletries to donate, when and where can I drop them off?"You can drop your donations off at Tony’s Community Kitchen at 174a James Street between 3-5 pm on Monday, Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday.