About Gran's Van
Our mission
Gran's Van is a non-profit organisation running free food and hygiene services to support those in the community who are economically disadvantaged.
Our programs provide a safe and inclusive space, along with relief from some of the basic pressures of sourcing nutritious food and accessing laundry services and personal cleanliness.
Our impact
- 100+meals provided to people each week
- 30%of our customers have no home, living on the street or in their car
- 100%are overwhelmingly grateful for a simple meal and a friendly conversation
Our values
Community
Our people connect, forming friendships and developing genuine community. We are more than a shared meal; we are a growing neighbourhood.
Quality
Providing the best possible service is our way of acknowledging the inherent dignity of every person in our community.
Partnership
We believe the local community is best placed to solve community problems, so we partner with others who help us identify and solve the issues we see around us.
Our history
Serving Devonport since 2006
Gran's Van Association Inc. was formed at the instigation of former Devonport Mayor Mary Binks.
Seeing a need in the community that no-one else was meeting at the time, Mrs Binks drew people together to find a solution. When a vehicle was donated in the winter of 2006, Gran's Van became a reality.
Since then, Gran's Van has served more than 40,000 meals to the poor and homeless of Devonport, and distributed countless sleeping bags, blankets, beanies, socks, jumpers and jackets donated by the local community.
Present operations
100+ volunteers
Local people volunteer three to six hours a month to run our programs.
Growing need
The average number of clients has increased from 14 to 22 per night within three years.
Expanded service
Our food van now operates six nights a week (originally three), and in 2022 we launched a mobile shower and laundry trailer in Devonport.
Looking ahead
Mobile market
We are investigating the viability of a mobile supermarket to provide low-cost fruit, vegetables and other staples across the North West Coast of Tasmania.
Ongoing partnerships
We continue to explore opportunities to work with Action Against Homelessness, Loaves and Fishes Tasmania and other local community organisations.
Loaves and Fishes Tasmania
Our policies
Gran's Van Association Inc. is committed to best practice for volunteer organisations and to continuous improvement.