How a Hug, a Meal, and a Chat Can Save a Life - The Big Umbrella Foundation

In this episode, we dive deep into the heart of The Big Umbrella Foundation (TBU), an extraordinary food relief and community-building organisation based in Melbourne. From its humble beginnings with pancakes and soup on trestle tables, TBU has grown into a movement that rescues food, alleviates food insecurity, and creates spaces of dignity, belonging, and connection for what they call their “friends on the street.”

We hear stories of chance encounters, the joy and meaning found in volunteering, and the raw honesty of those who’ve been served. From moments of deep gratitude, to full-circle transformations—like a man once in the food line returning to volunteer—this conversation highlights the healing power of service, community, and compassion.

We also explore:

• How a Chance Encounter under the Dalai Lama Sparked a Movement
• How Pancakes, Dignity + Community Feed a City
• How Food Rescue Turns Waste into Warmth
• Why volunteering floods the body with endorphins and oxytocin.
• The hidden crisis of food insecurity affecting students, families, and working people.
• Why spreading good news stories is as important as addressing the challenges we face.

Takeaways:

• Service is “smart selfish”: giving also heals the giver
• Belonging is built through language, consistency, and fun
• Small acts (a hot meal, a hug, a chat) can change the arc of a life

If you loved this: volunteer, fund a team day, or share this episode with one person who needs a hopeful story today.

This episode is a reminder that one small act of service—whether offering a meal, a conversation, or a smile—can ripple outward and transform lives.

Resources & Links:

• Learn more about The Big Umbrella Foundation
• Volunteer, donate, or support TBU’s work.
• Connect with TBU on instagram @thebigumbrella
• Connect with Gabrielle on Instagram: @gabimeyer or @hdydi.pod