“Without NoBucks, a whole bunch of people in this community wouldn’t eat… whether it’s someone living on the street… or battling an addiction… a single parent with kids… someone older in life who is struggling.”
For many, the festive season conjures thoughts of Santa Claus, stockings filled with presents, lit-up trees, and Christmas ham around the family dinner table.
But for the 1 in 5 Tasmanians experiencing food insecurity, Christmas can be a time of increasing stress and loneliness.
In the heart of Hobart’s business district lies NoBucks – a Uniting community meals and support hub that creates social connection for Tasmanians doing it tough in the holidays and all year round.
“This is the only place where people can come and actually have a meal. If it wasn’t for us, there are some people who wouldn’t have a plate of food in front of them for the whole day,” says Jeremy Pettett, Senior Manager, Social Inclusion at Uniting.
“It’s a chance just to be treated with respect and dignity and have a nice meal,” Jeremy says.
While free meals and an emergency food relief pantry is the main entry point, Jeremy says these become a gateway to further supports like clean clothing, hot showers, hairdressing services, health screenings, and connection to alcohol and other drug services.
“It’s very difficult for you to think about what other help and support you might be able to get when you’re cold or you’re scared or you’re hungry,” he says.
A sense of belonging and inclusion
NoBucks also provides employment opportunities for people with a disability like Chris.
Chris has been working at NoBucks for five years now, preparing food and packing down the kitchen every Tuesday lunch service. He says the best part of working at NoBucks is “helping people”, describing the job as “10/10.”
In addition to a hearty meal, NoBucks focuses on creating community for those who have fallen on hard times.
On any given day, you will see families, older people experiencing homelessness, full-time workers struggling to afford food during the cost-of-living crisis, migrants, or people struggling with mental health challenges, walking through the doors to receive a free coffee and lunch, and spend time with community.
Jeremy says people who come into NoBucks are faced with difficult choices every single day – choices like whether they should eat a proper meal or pay their bills. These decisions are made more challenging during Christmas time.
At NoBucks however, anyone can receive a free meal served with a friendly smile and no judgement at Christmas.
“It's the last faint sign that some kind of care and decency still applies to the population”
It’s something that NoBucks regulars Andrew and Dougie cherish the most about this Hobart establishment that has been a safe haven for locals for decades.
“When things were really tough, I used to think that nobody cares or they’re so busy in this world.. and then you’ve got people like these guys at NoBucks,” says NoBucks regular Andrew.
Now in his 60s, Andrew has been coming to NoBucks for over 20 years. After an assault left him with a brain injury, he was unable to return to work, losing his only income source and finding himself homeless.
Andrew’s been on the housing waitlist in Hobart for 21 years and is currently moving from one temporary accommodation to another, sometimes every night, in search of a safe place to retreat from the freezing Hobart chill.
Despite his unstable housing situation, NoBucks remains a consistent and fundamental form of support in his life.
“They treat me with respect. There’s not many places .. where you can get that now.”
“Everyone’s that comes here deserves the same rights as everyone,” says Andrew. “Everyone’s got the right to have food … it’s amazing what a feed and clean clothes will do for a person. I’ve seen that here many times.”
“If NoBucks weren’t here, some people wouldn’t ever know what the feeling of community is like.”
Another NoBucks regular, 60-year-old Dougie, had a successful career as an artist. He made stained glass windows, jewellery boxes and other high end art items sold in galleries. When his business collapsed in 2020, he lost everything.
Dougie says it feels like he’s been “going backwards for 10 years.”
“A few years ago, I started becoming too poor to feed myself,” says Dougie. “All the [other services] just offer you referrals.”
“We’re voiceless and faceless, we’re just somebody else’s problem.
“But we’re recognised as being human beings here. NoBucks is welcoming. It’s the last faint sign that some kind of care and decency still applies to the population… You can come here, you can get lunch without question.”
Dougie says it would be “grim and miserable” without NoBucks. Here he’s found a kindred spirit in Andrew.
Jeremy says Andrew and Dougie embody the sense of community they want other NoBucks customers to feel.
“We may provide a room and food, but it’s people like Andrew and Dougie that make this a community.
“Those guys are some of the first to support others. If they see someone who’s struggling, they’ll both go and have a chat to them. You always see them sitting down, introducing themselves to people, having a chat.”
How you can support people like Dougie and Andrew this Christmas
“We rely entirely on donations and the generosity of the community… finding ways to turn food into meals,” says Jeremy.
Jeremy says the generosity from donors, no matter how big or small, is felt immediately at NoBucks. “It’s visible, it’s seen and I’m so appreciative of the people who support what we’re doing.”
A gift to Uniting’s Christmas Appeal will help people like Andrew and Dougie feel a sense of community and compassion this Christmas. Your generous donation will go towards:
- Providing temporary accommodation for someone sleeping rough.
- Keeping warm food on the plates of those in need, through Uniting Community Meals Programs.
- Providing groceries and supply bags to those struggling to put food on their table.
