We Are Gateway Care

We connect so that no one is alone, collect so no one is hungry and care for community wellbeing and the environment.

Gateway Care Limited is the culmination of two entities. In 2003 Tom Lew began a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) entity which accepted cash donations to support families in need. This functioned alongside a low cost outlet to help welfare recipients with low cost groceries. The guidance and leadership required to see this outlet continue operating saw the amalgamation of the two entities by 2007, with Tom overseeing all of Gateway’s business processes and financial practises by 2009 to overturn the struggling operations which was facing closure.

Debra Knight, a legend of Gateway, began her journey as a volunteer, appointed to a management role a few years later. Deb’s heart for the community and involvement in Gateway from the beginning then saw her undertake tertiary studies to help her manage volunteer workers and provide her with additional skills for her leadership role. The next decade saw Tom and Debra face significant challenges to keep the program afloat and with virtually little to no resource they self-funded the operations. In these early years, they worked with minimal wages and sacrificed significantly to help the welfare-recipient families they supported.

Through hard work and determination, the small food support service has grown to become one of the largest of its kind in Queensland.
Two of our favourite mandates:

“Give a hand up not a hand out” and “Provide one another care because every one matters”.

These two fundamental values are embraced by Gateway Staff and volunteers. Today thousands of families are supported through Gateway Care’s Food Centre. Gateway’s caring staff continue to help with the same heart of compassion to continue the Gateway Care story.

We are a social enterprise based on Queensland's Sunshine Coast and the largest food rescue organisation in Queensland. We are a beacon of hope, a compassionate and inclusive force for good in our community helping those in need.

We aim to help build a thriving and resilient community where no one stands alone, hunger is eradicated and compassionate care nurtures both our people and our environment.

Gateway Care is dedicated to forging connections that dispel isolation, collecting sustenance to alleviate hunger, and fostering a culture of care that enriches our community's well-being while safeguarding our environment.