Places with Purpose: HelpingACT
Seeking food relief? Visit the Canberra Food Relief Network for more info.
A Community-Led Response to Hunger in Canberra.
In a city as progressive and planned as Canberra, it can be easy to assume that everyone’s basic needs are met. But for many in our community, newly arrived refugees, families escaping violence, people experiencing homelessness, or those simply working hard but falling behind, food insecurity is a daily reality.
HelpingACT, a grassroots charity born in our own backyard, has become a lifeline for thousands navigating this quiet crisis.
With no paid staff and over 95% of donations going directly to people in need, HelpingACT has proven that a small team of committed volunteers can deliver outsized impact.
Over the 2024–25 period alone, they provided more than 84,000 meals, supported 800 families with essential goods, and helped 300 school children access weekly breakfast across eight ACT schools. And they did it with heart, humility, and an unwavering belief in the power of community.
Meeting Urgent Needs, Creatively and Culturally
As cost-of-living pressures bite, food relief services across Australia are under strain. FoodBank’s 2024 submission to the Senate Select Inquiry on Cost of Living paints a stark picture: demand for food relief is soaring, but supply, especially of nutritious and culturally appropriate food, can’t keep up. This mismatch hits the ACT just as hard as anywhere else.
HelpingACT steps into this gap with a unique approach. Their work isn’t just about delivering food; it’s about creating moments of dignity and connection. Whether it’s supplying weekly Iftar meals to ANU students during Ramadan, stocking Companion House’s pantry for refugee families, or ensuring Christmas and Eid hampers reach those who request them, HelpingACT’s food relief is as diverse as the people it serves.
Volunteers like Sana, a pharmacy student from Afghanistan, speak of HelpingACT as more than a charity.
“It’s an organisation for people, by people,” she says. “They’ve been a huge support in my journey here. I’ve been fortunate to give back by volunteering and assisting with interpreting when needed.”
A Model of Collaboration
HelpingACT doesn’t operate in isolation. Collaboration is at the heart of its model. The organisation works hand-in-hand with other community groups to share resources, amplify reach, and avoid duplication.
Just ask Havelock Housing, whose tenants regularly access HelpingACT’s pantry support and monthly dinners. Or the Early Morning Centre, where HelpingACT delivers winter hampers and hosts community meals for vulnerable guests. These partnerships multiply the organisation’s impact and demonstrate a deep understanding of Canberra’s complex social ecosystem.
One of HelpingACT’s most valued collaborations is with Companion House, which provides medical care to refugee families. Thanks to weekly pantry restocks from HelpingACT, Companion House can offer more than healthcare, they can offer sustenance and comfort too.
Numbers That Matter — But Stories That Stick
Behind the statistics lie stories that define the soul of HelpingACT.
There’s Murray, a long-time beneficiary turned volunteer, who met founder Mohammed Ali “a few years ago” and now loves “returning the favour.” There’s the unnamed tenant at Havelock Housing who, thanks to donated staples, doesn’t go to bed hungry. And there’s the school student who now starts their day with a full belly and a better chance to learn.
In just one year:
84,000 meals were provided.
2,500 meals were served through the community lunch and dinner program in Canberra and Queanbeyan.
300 hampers were delivered to families at Christmas and Eid.
100 people experiencing homelessness were supported each month.
These aren’t just acts of charity. They’re acts of justice, small, regular affirmations that everyone deserves enough to eat, no matter their story.
Built on Trust, Run on Heart
HelpingACT operates with startling efficiency: 50+ active volunteers, zero paid staff, and a clear-eyed commitment to transparency. It’s a charity that prioritises purpose over polish.
Its work is fuelled by community generosity and the occasional one-off grant. Every donated dollar is stretched. Every meal matters. And every act of service, from packing hampers to cooking lunches, is powered by volunteers like Sana and Murray, who represent the charity’s heartbeat.
This spirit of trust and connection is also what makes HelpingACT a vital part of Canberra’s social fabric. In a time when many feel overwhelmed or alone, this is an organisation reminding people that they are seen, supported, and never forgotten.
The Road Ahead — Bigger, Bolder, Local
The vision for 2025–26 is ambitious, but achievable. HelpingACT wants to:
Open two new food pantries — one in Canberra’s north, one in the south, to meet growing demand.
Expand their school breakfast program to reach more schools and support more students.
Increase their capacity to store food and emergency supplies with the help of additional storage infrastructure.
Deliver more community meals, not just in the city but in pockets of need across the region.
Continue to collaborate with the ACT Government and grassroots organisations to build a food relief system that is resilient, inclusive, and responsive.
This expansion is not about scale for scale’s sake. It’s about meeting people where they are, in schools, on streets, and in the quiet spaces where food insecurity hides.
Why HelpingACT Matters Now More Than Ever
The Canberra we want is one where no child goes to school hungry, no refugee family feels forgotten, and no working parent has to choose between rent and groceries. HelpingACT is building that Canberra, one meal, one hamper, one conversation at a time.
In their own words:
“We foster connection, conversation, hope, and dignity, showing others that they are not alone.”
HelpingACT proves that hyperlocal solutions still have a powerful place. They’re agile, deeply embedded in community, and trusted by those who might otherwise fall through the cracks.
Their work is a call to action. A reminder that when it comes to meeting basic human needs, we can’t afford to wait. We must act. And in HelpingACT, Canberra has a shining example of what purposeful, people-powered action really looks like.
Want to get involved? HelpingACT welcomes you. Donate, volunteer, or simply share their story. Because no one in our city should go hungry. Not on our watch.
🔗 Learn more at helpingact.org
📦 Contribute to their food drives or school programs
👥 Join the growing network of volunteers building a stronger, fairer Canberra.
This is HelpingACT. This is what a place with purpose looks like.
