A Gold Coast butcher moved by the scenes of unemployed people queueing at Centrelink offices has given away 100 kilograms of sausages to about 100 families facing tough times.
Thousands of Australians faced unemployment this week after being forced out of their jobs by the tough Federal Governments measures brought in to combat the spread of coronavirus.
Robina's Country West Gourmet Meat and Chicken owner Greg Young said he became emotional seeing the images of long Centrelink queues surface.
"I've seen all the lines at the dole office of people out of work, it's just a terrible situation," he said.
"I know there's a lot of people out there living week to week — they've lost their jobs, they've got no food, no money."
He said it was important for community members to support each other during these times.
Wedding planner and restaurant join forces
Further north, in Bundaberg, a community initiative dubbed Random Acts of Dinner, has been established.
The concept, which allows people to purchase a meal for someone who is doing it tough, was formed from a collaboration of three businesses in Bundaberg — a restaurant, wedding planner and event coordinator.
Ainsley Gatley from Event Networx said the group was asking people to pay it forward and provide a meal to someone, whether they knew the person or not.
"It's about saying thank you to those who are working hard, those who have lost their business, or buying a meal for someone who is housebound," she said.
"There is so much kindness and everyone is so fragile and we just wanted to find a way to say you can't take our spirit away."
Chef Dion Taylor, whose kitchen cooked the meals, said it also meant he could keep at least one staff member on the books.
Volunteers are delivering the meals.
