Feeding the soul with the Tukka Project

14/10/2025
BCE students pack lunches for kids in need.

​©Brisbane Catholic Education, Our Lady's College Annerley (2025)​​

​BCE students have joined forces with the Tukka Project, volunteering their time to bake and prepare lunches for children in need.  

The Tukka Project is a grassroots program responding to food insecurity with a “Kids Feeding Kids” approach.    

Beginning with student volunteer sessions at Our Lady’s College Annerley, students from across BCE schools are now involved, including St Thomas More College Sunnybank, St Thomas’ Camp Hill, and St Columban’s Caboolture.   

Each week, more than 500 lunches are delivered to 30 schools, ensuring children can eat with dignity and thrive in their learning environments.   

Our Lady’s College Annerley Principal, Andrea Merrett, said the program reflects the College’s Josephite values in action.  

“At Our Lady’s College, we’re deeply committed to serving others with love, just as Saint Mary MacKillop did,” she said.    

“The Tukka Project gives our students a meaningful way to live out those values, not only by preparing meals, but by understanding the importance of compassion, dignity and community.”   

Since its launch 12 months ago, The Tukka Project has grown from 16 lunch packs delivered to a single school, to a scalable, demand-driven model.    

Darren Playle, CEO of The Tukka Project, recently visited BCEO in Woolloongabba to host a volunteer session with team members from the Office of the Executive Director, including the Communications, Brand and Marketing team.   

“We were thrilled to have such an engaged group of volunteers who packed 234 lunches in record time,” he said.    

“The packs were delivered before 9am the next morning, allowing kids to collect their meals discreetly and eat with their peers like everyone else. It’s an incredible effort that makes a real difference.”   

The program not only addresses hunger but also fosters service learning, giving students the opportunity to reflect on social justice and the power of community support.   

“The Tukka Project aligns beautifully with Catholic Social Teaching and offers a practical, impactful way for students to serve others,” Darren said.  

With student-led baking, packing and delivery sessions, the initiative continues to grow, feeding bodies, building empathy, and strengthening connections across the BCE community.   

If you’d like to learn more about getting involved with the Tukka Project, contact Darren at the Tukka Project.   



Top stories