.png)
The Table of St Francis began simply—with a few willing hands, a shared meal and a desire to make sure no one felt forgotten.
What started as a small grassroots effort has grown, step by step, into a wider mission of compassion across the Sunshine Coast.
Along the way came new faces, new challenges and a bigger vision—but the heart has remained the same: to offer a place at the table, without judgement or conditions, to anyone who needs one.
This is our journey so far.
.png)
Where It All Began
In October 2023, Brother Francis gathered a small group of volunteers with a simple purpose: to bring freshly cooked meals, drinks and companionship to people doing it tough.
They began at Quota Memorial Park in Nambour, a place known as a gathering point for people sleeping rough and one that had carried a negative reputation within the wider community.
Brother Francis encouraged the volunteers to look beyond that reputation—to see not homelessness, labels or circumstances, but people with names, stories and dignity. They called the little grassroots initiative Hunger Busters.
What started as a simple effort to relieve hunger soon became about much more.
Meals opened conversations, strangers became familiar faces, and relationships began to grow.
It was small. It was simple.
A table had been set —
and the story had begun.
A New Name, A Bigger Vision
Two years after the first meals were shared at Quota Park, Hunger Busters had grown beyond its humble beginnings. More volunteers had joined, relationships had deepened, and what began as a simple effort to feed people was becoming a much wider mission of compassion and belonging.
In October 2025, the decision was made to take the next step. Inspired by St Francis of Assisi and his radical dedication to serving the poor and marginalised, Hunger Busters began the journey of becoming The Table of St Francis.
Behind the scenes, paperwork was prepared and submitted as the group began laying the foundations for a more formal organisation, recognising that this little grassroots mission had grown into something much bigger.
Hunger Busters gave us our beginning.
The Table of St Francis gave that beginning a name,
an identity and a bigger vision for what could come next.
From Grassroots to a Registered Charity
The year 2026 became a defining chapter for The Table of St Francis. What had begun with a handful of volunteers around a table was now putting down the legal and organisational foundations needed to carry the mission into the future.
The year held an even deeper significance for a mission bearing the name of St Francis. Marking the 800th anniversary of the death of St Francis of Assisi, Pope Leo XIV proclaimed a Special Jubilee Year of St Francis—a year calling the faithful to rediscover the life, witness and spirit of the saint.
.png)
During this special Franciscan Jubilee Year, The Table of St Francis reached some of the most important milestones in its young history.
19 January — Queensland Charity Registration
The first milestone came on 19 January 2026, when The Table of St Francis received its Queensland charity registration.
For a mission sustained by generosity, this was an important step—providing formal recognition within Queensland's charitable fundraising framework and strengthening the foundations for community fundraising and support.
19 May — Becoming Incorporated
On 19 May 2026, The Table of St Francis became an incorporated association, giving the organisation its own legal identity and a more formal structure for governance, responsibility and future growth.
12 June — ACNC Registration
Another milestone followed on 12 June 2026, when The Table of St Francis received registration with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC).
This formally recognised The Table of St Francis as a registered Australian charity, bringing greater accountability and creating stronger foundations for partnerships, funding opportunities and long-term growth.
15 July — DGR Endorsement
Then, on 15 July 2026, The Table of St Francis received Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) endorsement from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).
This meant eligible donations of $2 or more could be tax deductible, opening new opportunities for individuals, businesses and community partners to support the mission.
In the span of just six months—and during a remarkable Jubilee Year dedicated to Saint Francis whose name we carry—The Table had reached some of the most significant milestones in its journey.
The heart remained grassroots.
The table remained open.
But the foundations beneath it were now stronger than ever—ready for the next chapter of the mission.
The Next Chapter
Compassion Mobile and the Compassion Centre represent the next chapter of The Table of St Francis: one taking compassion beyond the table and directly to people wherever they are, the other creating a permanent place of welcome, support and belonging.
These are the next steps in a journey shaped by compassion, community and a belief that everyone deserves a place at the table.