Community kindness goes a long way

World Kindness Day is an international day on November 13 every year, but for one Redcliffe not-for-profit, it is practised every day.

The Breakfast Club Redcliffe is a not-for-profit organisation that has been running successfully since 2003, providing 1000 free meals every month to those in need.

It is a pillar of kindness in the community, and the friendly and welcoming atmosphere the club provides is something everyone can get behind.

The Breakfast Club Redcliffe Chairperson and Manager Michelle Gilchrist has been volunteering with the organisation for nine years and says it doesn’t take much to be kind.

“Kindness is a simple thing, and it doesn't take much time or energy. A simple smile or a polite greeting can make someone’s day. It makes people feel good in the doing and receiving,” Michelle says.

“The Breakfast Club is a place that simply allows people the opportunity to be kind and hopefully receive kindness. Not everyone has a good day every day, but you can improve someone’s day so easily.”

But The Breakfast Club can’t do it alone, and the community effort is what helps make the club so successful.

“The Breakfast Club is based on a community caring approach, with kindness as one of our core values,” Michelle explains.

“It helps in two ways – making the donor feel good by giving, and the receiver feel good by receiving something they need.

“Our community loves to help, and The Breakfast Club tries to provide a place where they can help others in a safe environment, by giving items or time.

“The wonderful people that volunteer their time, the amazing community members that donate to us and the beautiful people we meet that just need a hand up and a smile to make their day inspires me to continue working with the club.”

When asked what advice Michelle would give to those in the community wanting to be kinder, she says it can only take one small act.

“There is a wonderful saying, ‘helping one person might not change the world, but it can change the world for that person,’” Michelle says.

“Small things done in kindness can make a big difference. Our world is full of stress, and no one has time anymore – make someone smile every day.”

Be kind this World Kindness Day.

You can contribute to The Breakfast Club in a variety of ways.