News
19 November, 2025
Lowood angels in need, golfers take the lead
THE need for affordable food support has soared to unprecedented heights, with Lowood non-profit Harvest Angels seeing an unprecented demand for their food hamper services.
By Marina Gomide
THE need for affordable food support has soared to unprecedented heights, with Lowood non-profit Harvest Angels seeing an unprecented demand for their food hamper services.
Against this backdrop of rising demand, the Lowood Golf Club donated over $1,250 to the local service, which will help the Angels fill Christmas hampers.
“We’ve never seen demand this high, especially with Christmas fast approaching and the additional strain of back-to-school expenses just around the corner,” president and founder of Harvest Angels, Lisa Smith, said.
“Even working families are finding it hard to keep food on the table.
“Sometimes all it takes is one unexpected problem, and suddenly there’s nothing left for groceries.”
President of the Lowood Golf Club, Alan Jones, said supporting groups like Harvest Angels is central to the club’s role in the community.
“We decided as a committee that it was time to do more for the local community by holding charity days,” he said.
“This round of money we raised at our September 11 charity game, with nearly 70 players taking part.
“It’s important to us that every dollar we raise goes back to helping people here in Somerset, especially at such a tough time.”
The club chose Harvest Angels as the recipients of the money because of how much they help the community and those in need.
Harvest Angels, running for 14 years since Ms Smith founded it in the wake of the 2011 floods, provides discount food hampers brimming with pantry staples, fresh produce, bread, and meat to those in need.
“Being a small golf club, there’s a limit to how much we can raise, but we’re passionate about giving back,” Mr Jones added.
“It’s not just about golf; it’s about being in touch with our local community, helping where we can, and making a real difference for local families.”
Ms Smith said the donation will help the volunteer-run organisation prepare their Christmas hampers with extra treats such as lollies and chocolates.
“ It helps us buy special treats to make our Chrissie hampers just a bit brighter for local families, so everyone, especially the kids, can celebrate,” she said.
“Everything has gone up in price, but we’ve kept our hampers at $60 to help as many people as possible, even if it’s getting harder for us.”
Entirely volunteer-run, Harvest Angels also operates a low-price op shop and offers free food items, delivering hampers to families as far as Redbank and Ipswich.
“These donations go straight back into our community, helping us put more food on more tables,” Ms Smith said.
“It means a brighter, more hopeful Christmas for people who need it most.”
Mr Jones emphasized the club’s ongoing commitment to these efforts, with plans to make the charity days an annual event.
