Coffee Brigade is a not-for-profit, volunteer-run organisation that provides food, hot drinks, and kind connection to people experiencing homelessness or hardship in Brisbane. We've been serving the community since 1970 — and we show up rain, hail or shine, 365 days a year.
We support anyone in need — including those who are sleeping rough, living in temporary accommodation, or experiencing food insecurity, isolation, or difficult circumstances.
There are no requirements for receiving support from Coffee Brigade. Simply visit our van.
We don’t ask questions — everyone is welcome.
The simplest and most effective way to support our service is with a financial donation. It gives us the flexibility to purchase exactly what’s needed, when it’s needed — and helps us keep the van running every day of the year. Coffee Brigade is a registered DGR-1 charity, meaning every donation over $2 is tax-deductible.
We also accept donations of our staple pantry and snack items and travel-sized toiletries. For a full list of our most-needed items, please visit our DONATE page.
If you’d prefer to give your time, VOLUNTEERING is always a welcome way to get involved.
Shifts begin at HQ at 6am. The van departs HQ at 6:15am.
The van travels to 3 set locations everyday:
The van returns to HQ at 8:30am, and volunteers are on their way by 9am once the clean-up and resetting process is complete.
Please note: Volunteers must start and finish shifts at HQ to help with both the set-up and clean-up.
Each morning, you’ll be part of a small team of three volunteers heading out to visit our friends in need.
You’ll help serve simple food like sandwiches, fresh fruit, and snacks, or prepare hot drinks like tea, coffee, and soup. Everything’s easy to set up — the sandwiches are made ahead of time by our sandwich volunteers, and the hot drinks are instant or ready-to-go.
That way, you can focus on the most important part of the morning: offering a warm smile, a listening ear, and kind connection to someone in need.
No special skills are required - just an open mind, a kind heart, and the ability to listen without judgment.
At Coffee Brigade, we believe in the power of human connection. Our volunteers come from all walks of life, and what matters most is your willingness to show up with warmth, respect, and a friendly chat for our friends in need. We'll support you every step of the way, so you can feel confident and connected from your very first shift.
You need to be 18 or over to volunteer on the van for safety and insurance reasons. While we believe volunteering is valuable at any age, our van shifts are best suited to adults who can navigate the emotional complexity and responsibility involved in supporting our friends in need. We love welcoming younger volunteers to our sandwich shifts instead.
Our van shifts involve being on your feet for most of the 3-hour shift, and stepping up into and down out of the van. If this sounds like it might be physically challenging for you, we encourage you to consider helping out with sandwich-making instead — it’s a vital part of our service and can be done while comfortably seated at our HQ.
Every role counts, and we’re here to help you find the one that’s right for you.
Yes – all new volunteers receive a Volunteer Handbook, an induction and on-the-van training.
You'll be welcomed by our friendly HQ team who'll explain the need-to-know's of the van and what we offer our friends. Then, you'll be off on the morning shift with two experienced volunteers who’ll help you learn the ropes while making an impact.
Driving isn’t a strict requirement — but our service simply can’t run without volunteers who are willing to drive. We’re incredibly grateful to the volunteers who help in this way, they keep our service running safely, consistently, and reliably. Driver volunteers still serve our friends sandwiches or coffee, in addition to hopping behind the wheel.
The van is a Toyota Hiace. It can be driven on a standard licence and is equipped with surround sensors and reverse cameras to make it as safe and easy as possible. Volunteers are covered by Coffee Brigade’s insurance, but may be responsible for any excess costs in the case of driver-at-fault incidents.
If you're not comfortable driving, you’re still welcome to volunteer, but please know this may limit shift availability depending on our roster needs.
Our driving volunteers are an essential part of delivering nourishment, conversation, and care to people in need — thank you for considering stepping into this role.
Absolutely! Volunteering together is a great way to connect while giving back to the community.
To start, you’ll each need to complete your first few shifts separately. This gives you the chance to learn the ropes alongside experienced volunteers and helps us keep the van service running smoothly.
After that, our friendly HQ team will do their best to pair you up on future shifts when spots align. With over 300 volunteers, there can sometimes be a waitlist for “double shifts” — so we do ask that all volunteers remain open to jumping in solo when needed.
When you both complete your volunteer forms, just leave a note letting us know you’d love to volunteer together — we’ll keep it in mind when rostering.
Wear comfortable clothes and closed shoes — and make sure to dress for the weather! Our van goes out rain, hail, or shine, so it’s always best to check the forecast and come prepared (trust us, you'll be glad you did).
Bring a water bottle, but please leave any personal items at HQ during your shift. Space is limited in the van, and keeping belongings at HQ helps ensure that shifts run smoothly and safely for everyone involved.
We’ll provide aprons and gloves for serving — just bring yourself and a warm, open attitude!
Sandwich shifts begin at Coffee Brigade HQ at 6:30am, every weekday.
Each shift will take 1.5 - 2 hours to complete, depending on the size and speed of the volunteer team. Some teams love to take their time and chat as they work, and others get right down to business. How long your sandwich shift takes is up to you!
Sandwich volunteers prepare delicious fresh sandwiches at our HQ to be distributed by the van team the following morning. Our simple recipes are easy to follow — they're tried and tested favourites for our friends in need.
This is a hands-on, behind-the-scenes way to support people experiencing homelessness or hardship. While sandwich volunteers don’t have direct contact with our friends, your impact is just as crucial. Every sandwich helps us show up with care, dignity, and something nourishing to offer.
Anyone is welcome to volunteer — we love welcoming new volunteers on their own, with friends or family members, or student and workplace groups.
Unlike our van shifts, sandwich-making is open to volunteers under 18 and can also be a great option for those who prefer a seated, low-impact way to contribute.
We love seeing families, students, and teams getting involved. It's a great way to give back together while helping us care for our community.
None at all! You don’t need any special skills — just a willingness to lend a hand, follow simple instructions, and be part of something meaningful.
At Coffee Brigade, we know that every role matters. Our sandwich-making volunteers come from all walks of life, and what makes the biggest difference is your care and commitment. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a total beginner, we’ll guide you through everything so you feel confident and supported from your very first shift.
You’ll be making a variety of simple, tasty sandwiches that our friends look forward to. We offer a mix of meat-based, vegetarian, and sweet options to suit different tastes and needs. Our sandwich types include:
We’ll let you know which types are needed for your shift, and we provide clear, easy-to-follow preparation guidelines.
You can expect to make between 150 - 300 sandwiches as a team, but the exact number may vary depending on the day and demand. You'll be surprised at how quickly the sandwiches stack up!
Wear comfortable clothes you don’t mind getting a little messy — think sandwich spread or a spot of butter — and make sure to wear closed, clean shoes for safety. If you have long hair, it will need to be tied back.
You don’t need to bring anything with you — we’ll provide aprons and gloves to keep things clean and food-safe. Just bring yourself and a positive attitude!
If you can't find the answer to your question here, please reach out to our team via email at:
Coffee Brigade acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia. We pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging.
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