The Sunshine Coast community has once again shown the incredible impact of coming together for a cause, raising a record-breaking $204,000 at the annual Zaleta – Love Food, Give Food Long Lunch in support of The Everyday Foundation.
Held at the beautiful Flaxton Gardens, the event welcomed 240 guests—including local councilors, business owners, faith leaders, and community champions—all united by a single mission: so no one on the Sunshine Coast goes hungry.
This year’s event surpassed all expectations, smashing the initial fundraising goal of $120,000 and raising $100,000 more than last year’s total. Thanks to the generosity of sponsors, every dollar from ticket sales and on-the-day fundraising will go directly to supporting the most vulnerable in our community.
Karen Gullo, General Manager of The Everyday Foundation, captured the heart of the day in her address:
“The devastating statistic that 1 in 3 Australians now face food insecurity drives our commitment to the work we do. Through our school pantry program, low-cost food outlet, emergency relief, and Daily Bread meal support kitchen, we meet people where they are, in their place of need, but most importantly, we don’t leave them there. We have the honour to witness change in thousands of lives every week. You can make a difference in the lives of the hungry and vulnerable.”
Highlights from the Day
Live Auction: Hosted by Jake Loiero from Ray White Buderim, the auction created excitement and friendly competition, with experiences like a private dining event with chef Alan Dawes and New Zealand holidays up for grabs. The top item sold for a record $31,000!
Community Impact: The funds raised will directly support The Everyday Foundation’s vital programs, including:
· Low-cost grocery outlets serving over 1,000 customers weekly
· Meal support kitchens distributing more than 22,000 meals annually
· Emergency Relief services for families in crisis, including those fleeing domestic violence
Why Your Support Matters
With the ongoing cost of living crisis and housing pressures, the need for support is greater than ever. This fundraising boost will enable The Everyday Foundation to continue offering essential services like the Emergency Relief program, providing immediate practical support to those in dire need.
The Foundation has been meeting people in their place of need for over 20 years, but the demand continues to grow. There are many ways to partner with us, including our upcoming Hope Hampers campaign, which will provide over 550 Christmas hampers to families in need.
Thank You to Our Supporters
This event was made possible by the generous support of our sponsors and partners:
Platinum Sponsor: Zaleta
Gold: Brandon and Gullo Lawyers | Sunshine Coast Rendering | Suncoast Church | Triple Zero Property | The Bespoke Travel Agency
Champagne Bar and Wifi Sponsor: ENTAG
Media Partner: Mix FM
Venue Partner: Flaxton Gardens
Want to get involved or learn more? Visit https://everyday.org.au or contact us at hello@everyday.org.au
