Giving the Gift of Bread

Meet Gift of Bread

Not knowing when you’ll have your next meal can be a significant source of stress. Gift of Bread is offering food, free of charge, to some of the most vulnerable people in the community, with a creative upcycling approach.

We interviewed Gift of Bread to learn more:

Q: Tell us about your organisation.

A: Seventeen years ago, we had a simple idea — sharing bread.

Since 2015, we’ve been committed to building community and making a positive social impact in the world by providing bread to those in need, while addressing the issue of food waste.

Gift of Bread operates primarily in the Greater Sydney area with a Community Workshop in Milne Lane, Tempe that is open seven days a week. We also have several Outreach Centres throughout Sydney and over 300 volunteers who dedicate their time to our mission.

Last year we rescued $3,825,000 of surplus bread from leading retailers like Bakers Delight, Coles and Woolworths Supermarkets, and other specialist commercial bakeries.

We share this bread free of charge with large charitable institutions, medium to small non-profit organisations, indigenous welfare organisations, boarding houses, churches and individuals. This includes charities like OzHarvest, the Bill Crews Foundation, St Vincent de Paul, Youth Off the Streets, the Asylum Seeker Centre, Wesley Mission and Australian Red Cross. Last year we delivered over half a million bags of bread to over 250 clients in Greater Sydney and beyond.

Our bread reaches more than 26,500 people every day. We prevent a valuable, life-sustaining product from going to landfill and we reach out to help the forgotten, the unknown, the vulnerable, the lonely, the isolated, the depressed, and the neediest around us.

Q: What is your mission?

A: At the heart of our mission is sharing bread, building community and stopping waste. Our work ensures that surplus bread is not wasted but instead reaches those who can benefit most from it. Together we aim to build stronger, caring communities and a more sustainable world.

Q: Tell us about your programs.

A: We run several programs, including:

• Bread Collection and Redistribution: Every week our dedicated volunteers collect around 7,200 kg of surplus bread from well-established bakeries such as Bakers Delight and major supermarkets like Coles and Woolworths, ensuring it doesn’t go to waste. We meticulously slice, sort, and pack the bread to maintain its freshness, ensuring it’s delivered in the best way to those in need across various communities.
• SnackBags: The SnackBags program supports School Breakfast Clubs and provides nutritious snacks to children and families in need. We distribute small sandwich-sized bags with healthy baked items like crispbread, raisin toast, pastries, and cereals. These are also given to food vans and soup kitchens for the homeless.
• Community Outreach: We engage with the community through events like She Was Hot and fundraising programs like Street Food Online to raise awareness about food waste and community needs.
• Disaster Response: In times of crisis, we stand as a beacon in a storm. From droughts and bushfires to floods and pandemics, when disaster strikes, we’re there. We respond swiftly to provide food and moral support to those affected.
• Volunteer Engagement: We provide opportunities for community members to get involved and make a tangible difference.

Q: What are some of the challenges you’ve been able to overcome?

A: One significant challenge we’ve faced is logistical: coordinating the collection and distribution of large quantities of bread. We’ve overcome this by developing a reliable volunteer network and efficient online scheduling system. Another challenge is ensuring that the bread reaches those in need while maintaining food safety standards. We’ve addressed this by implementing strict handling and storage protocols.

Q: How do you involve volunteers?

A: Volunteers are integral to our operations. They help with collecting bread from donors, to sorting and packaging it, and distributing it to various locations. We also involve volunteers in community outreach and fundraising programs.

Q: How do volunteers help you make a difference?

A: Volunteers enable us to extend our reach and impact. Their dedication and efforts ensure that more bread is saved from waste and more people receive the support they need. Volunteers bring diverse skills and perspectives, while enhancing our capacity to serve the community effectively.

Q: What would you say to someone considering volunteering with your organisation?

A: I would say that volunteering with Gift of Bread is a fulfilling and impactful way to contribute to your community. You’ll be directly involved in reducing food waste and supporting those in need. It’s also a great opportunity to meet like-minded individuals and make a positive difference together.

Learn more about Gift of Bread

Membership

The Centre is proud to support organisations like Gift of Bread, doing important work in the community.

We became a member of The Centre because of its excellent support network and resources for community organisations. The Centre offers valuable training, networking opportunities, and tools that help us operate more effectively and efficiently. – Gift of Bread