Those in need are being reminded that help is still available across the Sunshine Coast after a long-running food and goods service reopened in a scaled-back form.
Free Little Pantry Wurtulla founder Wayne Hunt, who started the community initiative from his Nicklin Way home in 2016, announced earlier this month that the pantry would close, citing health issues as the reason behind his decision.
But after a short break, Mr Hunt has reopened the pantry in what he has called “eco mode”, with reduced services, no new donations currently being accepted and a limit on how often it will be restocked.
The move means the pantry remains available to those who need it, while Mr Hunt continues to urge supporters to direct donations elsewhere for now.
At the time of the closure, Mr Hunt encouraged people to support the Sunshine Coast-based The !n Crowd Australia, which operates a mobile outreach service for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, financial hardship, disability or mental health challenges.
The !n Crowd said its Community on Wheels service provided practical support across the region, including food and groceries, clothing, toiletries, hygiene items, fresh produce when available, a “friendly conversation” and referrals to other support services.
The service is designed to reach people where they are, including parks, caravan parks and other locations across the region.
Founder and director Kurt Payne previously told sister publication My Weekly Preview that the program was designed to address a critical gap in service delivery.
“Creating a mobile outreach model like Community on Wheels was important to us because we wanted to do something different: something that genuinely meets people where they are and fills a gap where people are being missed,” he said.
According to the Australian Government’s Specialist Homelessness Services Annual Report 2024-25, around 1300 people were homeless on the Sunshine Coast, with another 505 residents at risk.
In April, the state government unveiled a suite of initiatives to address the issue, including plans for social homes, expanded outreach services and temporary accommodation.
Other support is also available through services such as Maroochydore Neighbourhood Centre’s One Roof Project, which provides two-course meals for $2, mobile laundry services through Orange Sky Laundry, outdoor phone charging stations, mental health check-ins, advocacy and referrals to funded homelessness services.
In a video update posted last week, Mr Hunt said Free Little Pantry, located at 512 Nicklin Way, Wurtulla, was open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“I am clearing stock I have first, before taking any new donations,” he wrote.
He said the pantry was running on stock already on site, with about 12 milk crates of canned goods, five large plastic tubs and a large wicker basket of biscuits, 12 boxes of long-life milk and two fruit boxes of packet soups used since July 8.
He said about 36 packs of women’s hygiene products, 16 blankets, 14 sleeping bags, 240 pairs of socks and 60 coats had also been distributed.
The change comes just weeks after Mr Hunt received a Kawana Community Award from Deputy Premier and Member for Kawana Jarrod Bleijie.
At the time, Mr Bleijie described him as “a champion of the Kawana community”.
“It is my absolute pleasure to present Wayne with this award on behalf of the Kawana community and thank him for the positive difference he continues to make in the lives of so many people,” Mr Bleijie said.
Mr Hunt said he started the initiative after suffering a heart attack and undergoing a stent procedure.
“I did a bit of a deal with ‘Old Mate’ upstairs. I said, ‘Hey, I’ll be a better person if you get me through this’,” he said.
Do you have an opinion to share? Submit a Letter to the Editor at Sunshine Coast News via news@sunshinecoastnews.com.au. You must include your name and suburb.
To follow Mr Hunt’s journey with the Free Little Pantry, follow him on Facebook. For more information about the !n Crowd to donate, or where its Community on Wheels bus is each week, visit Facebook.
