20 Feb Margarita Aunei-Stowers feeding Australia’s Homeless
Inspiring Story from Australia – A Story of Purpose in Brisbane
There was a time when Margarita Aunei-Stowers didn’t know where her next meal would come from. Sleeping rough in Fortitude Valley, she experienced firsthand the uncertainty, isolation, and quiet desperation that comes with homelessness. But even during her hardest days, she discovered something powerful: community can grow anywhere — even on the pavement.
In 2017, while still navigating homelessness herself, Margarita began gathering a few friends at Kemp Park. They cooked simple meals and shared what little they had. It wasn’t just about food. It was about dignity. Conversation. Being seen.
What started as informal lunches in the park slowly transformed into something far greater.
By 2021, Margarita officially founded Giv3 Our Time — a grassroots charity dedicated to feeding and supporting people experiencing homelessness. Today, the organisation runs six programs across South-East Queensland, providing hundreds of meals each week. Volunteers now step forward regularly, turning one woman’s survival story into a movement of compassion.
Among them is Tuan Tran, who helps run community barbecues, and Jules Archer, a former rough sleeper who found renewed stability and purpose by giving back. Their involvement reflects the heart of the mission: those who understand hardship are often the most committed to lifting others up.
Margarita still faces housing insecurity herself, but her focus remains outward. Her journey proves that leadership doesn’t begin with comfort — it begins with courage.
From sharing meals on a park bench to building a registered charity, her story is a reminder that even in life’s darkest seasons, purpose can take root. And sometimes, the people who once needed help become the very ones who transform a city.
No Comments