Order of Malta provides “Coats for the Homeless” and warm meals in Brisbane
By Joseph Grogan
As Brisbane endures the coldest start to Winter in over 100 years, seven Order of Malta Volunteers (OMV), including the North Eastern Regional Hospitaller, provided specialised Winter coats, warm beverages, meals, extra bread supplies, and a friendly welcome to over fifty people in need, through the Emmanuel City Mission (ECM).
Today, the immediate need for warm coats and warm meals was tangible.
An OMV shared, “A ‘rough sleeper’, *Andrew pulled me aside, and with his intense stare, I braced myself unsure of what he was going to say or do. He held up one of our warm, Order of Malta winter coats and said firmly, ‘I need this. Night’s too bloody cold. Thank you’”.
However, today proved bittersweet as the demand for warm coats and warm food exceeded the supply.
Over the years, *Wanda is always among the first wave of people to receive a new Order of Malta Coat.
She has personally received our coats each autumn or winter, during ‘Rosies’ Roma St Park night outreach, or through ECM. We’re not sure when or where she will arrive, but she normally surfaces.
She wears her coat in diverse conditions until it is worn beyond wearing.
Today, she arrived uncharacteristically late due to a challenging morning, and there were no coats left to provide.
‘They found me a jacket but your coat is the warmest, and you know me’.
I said we will personally find a way to provide a coat from our dwindling central supplies.
If possible, please give what you can to help us care for people in need”.
A gift of $100 could buy three of our specially designed, warm, shower-proof coats. Donate at
To volunteer: https://www.orderofmalta.org.au/i-want-to-help/volunteer
To support ECM https://emmanuelcitymission.com
