coffee brigade 101
who we are
Coffee Brigade is a Brisbane-based not-for-profit organisation that supports people experiencing homelessness or hardship — through food, conversation, and consistent care.
Since 1970, we’ve shown up for our friends in need with kindness, compassion, and a hot cup of coffee. What began with one woman serving coffee in her car has grown into a legacy of community support that spans over five decades — and continues to evolve to meet the needs of today.
We proudly welcome volunteers from all walks of life.
what we do
Every single morning of the year — rain, hail or shine — Coffee Brigade is out in the inner-city Brisbane community providing hot drinks, fresh sandwiches, and kind connection to people in need.
Our service is powered by a community of over 300 dedicated volunteers. Some prepare sandwiches in our HQ kitchen, others serve hot drinks and sandwiches from our mobile van — but all of them show up to deliver not just food, but reliability, dignity, and care.
It’s simple, human support. And for many of our friends, it makes a big difference.
why we do it
At Coffee Brigade, we believe everyone deserves to feel seen, nourished, and supported — not just occasionally, but consistently.
For some of our friends, what they receive from the van may be their only meal of the day. And for others, a kind conversation with one of our volunteers might be the only interaction they have — the only time someone remembers their name, asks how they’ve been, or simply listens.
Our impact is quiet but powerful: meeting basic needs with compassion, offering a reliable presence in a world that can feel uncertain, and showing up, again and again, with no strings attached — just kindness.
That’s the Coffee Brigade difference.
Our hiStory
simple beginnings
In the early hours of an October morning in 1970, an old Morris Minor made its way through the streets of Brisbane, searching for people in need of a hot coffee and a kind conversation.
Behind the wheel was the late Louisa Toogood, a compassionate and determined woman who, at the age of 67, founded the organisation now known as Coffee Brigade.
our founder
Louisa's journey to this moment was marked by a life of service. Born in London in 1903, she joined the Anglican Community of the Sacred Passion in her youth and later served in the Women's Royal Naval Service during World War II. After migrating to Australia in the mid-1950s, she settled in Brisbane and became a regular attendee of the 7 am Mass at St John's Anglican Cathedral on Ann Street in Brisbane CBD. It was during her walks to Mass that she became acutely aware of the plight of the homeless in the city.
Moved by compassion, Louisa began distributing coffee and biscuits to those in need. Her efforts quickly grew, and she was soon driving her Morris Minor around Brisbane's streets every morning, serving as many people as she could, always finishing in time to attend the 7 am Mass. According to Louisa's diaries, she served 325 people that October, and the numbers only grew from there.
community support
As her mission gained momentum, Louisa received support from various denominations across Brisbane, reflecting the ecumenical spirit of her mission. By 1972, the organisation was known as the 'St John's Ecumenical Coffee Brigade & Sober Outreach,' later simplified to the 'Ecumenical Coffee Brigade.'
In recognition of her tireless work, Louisa was awarded an MBE in 1974.
Even after stepping back from daily operations in 1977 to allow for broader organisational growth, she remained actively involved, visiting those she served and built friendships with, continuing to offer her unwavering support.
louisa's legacy
Today, more than 50 years on, we are proud to honour that legacy.
Every morning, our volunteers carry forward Louisa’s values: consistency, compassion, dignity, and kind connection. Whether in a Morris Minor or modern van, our mission remains unchanged — to serve coffee, a sandwich, and above all, a kind smile to those in need.