Zonta grant powering youth homelessness initiative

An innovative social enterprise teaching young people at risk of homelessness how to cook, while increasing their chances of employment, has been given a kick start thanks to a $7,000 grant from Zonta Brisbane City Heart.

The Good Grub Club is a mobile food van run by Anglicare that provides training and work experience opportunities for young people who are at risk of, or are experiencing, homelessness. It also visits local shelters to teach young people how to prepare nutritious and cost-effective meals.

Zonta Brisbane City Heart President Virginia Bishop said the initiative really struck a chord with their members.

“We have helped raise money for a few of Anglicare’s community support programs over the years and when we learned of the multi-faceted benefits of the Good Grub Club program, it struck a chord for us and the mission and values that we uphold,” Ms Bishop said.

“Whether it be locally or globally, Zonta’s mission, through service and advocacy, is to help empower women and girls to succeed in life, no matter the barriers they have or are facing.

“The beauty of this program is the multiple ways it helps, from giving homeless and disadvantaged girls an opportunity to develop new skills in food preparation, hospitality and business acumen, as well as helping them feel connected to the community and less isolated by feeding not just the disadvantaged, but also the people of Brisbane.

“But also importantly this program gives them an avenue to feel accomplished. As we all know, if you are succeeding in one area it has a halo effect on your mood and other areas of your life.”

Anglicare Youth Worker, Lauren Tucker, who runs the Good Grub Club, said the grant would help them buy quality ingredients and ensure they could continue to provide delicious and nutritious meals for the community.

“We are very thankful to Zonta Brisbane City Heart for this grant, which will help reach and support more young people to improve their lives and chances of getting a job,” Ms Tucker said.

The Good Grub Club currently operates every Monday at the Milton Green Precinct in Brisbane.