THE Flagstone Food Bank team has been given a boost from the community as they work on opening an op-shop that will help cover the charity's running costs.
Daniel Cinzio, who runs the food bank with wife Tammy and their three children, said work began earlier this week on the fit out for the charity's new building at Flagstone Central shopping centre.
The food bank - which provides food parcels to the likes of families, single mums and pensioners - moved out of their rent-free base at the community centre in March.
Mr Cinzio said the community's support had left him lost for words, with a shopfitter, locksmith and electrician among those helping bring the new building to life.
"Basically everything has been gifted to us so far," he said. "It is just incredible.
"We only had like $3000 to start with and we are trying to do like a $40,000 job.
"Such beautiful trust has been given to us so ... we are very thankful.
"We really appreciate all the kindness and generosity of these wonderful people."
Mr Cinzio hoped to be handing out food bank parcels from the new building next Friday.
He said the biggest expenses at their new location were rent, insurance and electricity.
"We have to make it an op-shop to be able to run this joint," Mr Cinzio said.
"There are expenses and we need to pay them because the food bank doesn't make money. That is done as a community service.
"Our main expense (so far) has been on insurance and hiring a scissor lift.
"We had a local business phone up and donate $1000 towards everything, which was lovely."
Mr Cinzio also thanked Flagstone Central managers Stockwell and Cr Natalie Willcocks for their support.
Donations can be made to the food bank Go Fund Me page here.
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