Food service feeding the homeless and hungry in Coffs Harbour facing fresh challenges

COFFS Harbour Community Service offers free food distribution for those sleeping rough or just doing it tough.

It began in 2019 with volunteers serving breakfast to mothers and children living in their cars in Park Avenue car park.

Today it operates two afternoons each week, supporting anyone in need.

If the right doors open, the organisers aim to expand into crisis shelter accommodation for women and children, and later for men.

Central Coffs Harbour is an area where homeless people congregate and is the reason organisers chose the location to distribute food.

However, Park Avenue Woolworths, which is situated next to the car park where the food tables are set up, has raised safety concerns with the City of Coffs Harbour Council.

“Our team members and customers have reported numerous incidents of antisocial behaviour that have made them feel unsafe while entering and exiting the store,” a Woolworths spokesperson told News Of The Area.

“As the car park where the barbecue is set up is owned by the City of Coffs Harbour, we have raised the issue with the Council in the interests of customers and team members.

“A City of Coffs Harbour spokesperson said that the city was working with the food-distribution operator to find a safer and more appropriate location for their activity.”

Council has not approved use of the car park for this purpose.

Community Service spokesperson, Simon Remana, said they had received positive support from the community, which council acknowledged at a special meeting late in 2025 where the Town Planner and its senior engineer discussed health and safety with organisers.

“We now cook on site. It used to take three hours from 3pm to give away 40 sausages; now we give away 90 by 4.30pm,” Mr Remana said.

Twenty-two-year-old Ezza is no longer homeless but grateful for help he received two years ago.

“When I was not receiving Centrelink and living on the streets in Coffs, these guys saved my life three times with their sausages,” he said.

Helper, Dr Jillda Wright, a social worker and SDA elder, would like to see the service remain at its location.

“There’s such a diversity of people that come, and it changes each week,” she said.

“The cost of living is becoming crazy so to be able to support people like this is really important.

“I want to continue as it’s a really good spot here.”

The City of Coffs Harbour has announced plans to renovate Park Street and has notified organisers, who plan to take a break until they can distribute food again.

By Sharon JANE