VAKS: Vans And KitchenS

Ecumenical Coffee Brigade

www.coffeebrigade.org.au

OUR MISSION: The Ecumenical Coffee Brigade (ECB) was established by Louisa Toogood who saw a need to minister to homeless and marginalised people within the Brisbane CBD by offering them food and a hot drink each morning.
Following her example, the ECB as a voluntary organisation, continues to provide these same services.

We are committed to ensuring that every day of the year the van goes out on the street to serve food and drink and offer a welcoming presence. We seek to offer those we meet respect and acceptance by treating all with dignity. We look for new ways of ensuring that the needs of the people we serve are respected and responded to whenever possible.

CURRENT PRACTICE & POLICY: The Coffee Brigade is a not for profit organisation providing food,hot drinks, clothing, blankets and reading material to the homeless and/or disadvantaged people of Brisbane city.

This service is provided during the hours of 6.30am to 8.15am every day of the year. Sandwiches are prepared by teams of volunteers within the ECB premises and dispensed by adults from a van in public places.

No food, drink, clothing, blankets or books are dispensed from the ECB premises.

 It is the policy of the ECB that all van volunteers and workers must be over the age of 18 years. Before commencement of duties each and every volunteer and worker must sign a declaration to that effect and sign an acknowledgement of having read the responsibilities and risks associated with providing services. A minimum of two van crew are present at all times during the dispensing of the service, in designated public places approved by the Brisbane City Council.

It might be noted that the services are dispensed to groups of needy people and not to isolated individuals in isolated places. Adults are always present.

Van volunteers generally work on a monthly basis for approximately 3 hours (6am -8:45am). Sandwich makers work on a volunteer basis and work as part of a team on a monthly basis.

New volunteers are welcomed.

We welcome monetary donations to assist in the running of our operation.

All enquiries can be directed to the Operations Manager, Irene Rejmer.

Contact

Irene Rejmer, Operations Manager

Phone: (07) 3831 8219
Email: coffeebrigade@bigpond.com

PO Box 399
Spring Hill QLD 4004