Too many Queenslanders risk sitting at an empty table by an empty Christmas tree. Children are already missing out on the joys of childhood, with parents even skipping meals to feed them.*
Together, we can change that. The Red Bag Christmas Appeal gifts more than food; it gives hope, joy and Christmas magic to those in need.
1 in 5 Queenslanders are facing severe food insecurity this Christmas.*
Help us reach our goal of 3,000 Red Bags and $100,000 in donations.
How you can gift joy this Christmas
Gift a virtual bag
Your contribution goes a long way in providing a Red Bag to someone in need.
Gift your time
Volunteer at our Charity gift wrapping station at Westfield Chermside or help pack Red Bags.
Fill a Red Bag with joy this Christmas
How does it work?
1. Collect your bags
From Monday, 27 October, collect a reg bag or box from a registered Storage King location or WMQ service.
2. Fill your bags
Fill your bag full of Christmas essentials and goodies, or purchase a ‘virtual bag’ (donate the cost of a bag).
Need inspiration? Dowload the shopping list.
3. Return your bags
Drop your filled bags back to a registered Storage King location by Thursday 20 November.
4. Red Bags are collected
Red Bags are then picked up from all Storage King locations and taken to our warehouse.
5. Checked or re-packed
Our group of amazing corporate volunteers check all bags and repack if needed. We'll make sure every bag has an equal amount of essentials and goodies for Queenslanders in need. Click here to volunteer.
6. Distribution to community
From Monday 1st December, Red Bags are distributed through several WMQ services throughout the Christmas period, including our Emergency Relief Hub in Fortitude Valley, bringing hope and joy to those who need it most.
Spread the word!
Share this page with family, friends and work colleagues. Every share, mention, and donation brings us closer to our goal this Christmas. Thank you!
Opportunities are available for a range of corporate sponsorships of the Red Bag Appeal.
Please contact the fundraising department on 07 3621 4365 or fill out our online form to find out how your organisation can get behind this great initiative.
*Queensland Council of Social Service’s (QCOSS)
2024 Living Affordability Report
Among responses to QCOSS’ biannual Cost-of-Living Survey, housing, energy bills, food and transport were the leading categories of increased household costs.
- During a cost-of-living crisis, the role of community organisations is critical.
- Households are neglecting their health needs due to out-of-pocket costs, or are enduring extreme financial hardship to cover essential medical expenses.
- Housing costs were the highest expenditure for each household, with all modelled households spending more than 37 per cent of their income on housing.
- While energy rebates have been made available to households in Queensland, energy costs continue to cause financial stress on households.
- Households are also struggling to meet out-of-pocket costs associated with their child’s schooling in light of competing financial demands.
- Despite working longer hours and receiving a pay rise, people still fall behind increases in the cost-of-living.
- Close to 700,000 Queenslanders are suffering through lack of healthy and nutritious food.
- 1 in 5 QLD households have experienced severe food insecurity in the last 12 months, meaning they are reducing serving sizes of meals or skipping eating.
- Awareness of food relief support in Queensland is growing with 47% of food insecure households knowing where to seek food relief support in the past 12 months compared to 36% in 2023.
Poverty in Australia 2025: Overview report
- Poverty in Australia has risen to 3.7 million people, up from 3.3 million in the previous report.
- 761,000 children live below the poverty line
- The proportion of low-income renters (the lowest 20% of earners) spending more than 30% of their income on rent increased from 52% in 20–21 to 57% in 22–23.
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