The Big Umbrella

11/06/2026

Wednesday Feed Melbourne@Fed Square sponsored by Langdon langdon scott

We are filled with gratitude as we look back on the incredible team-building experience we shared yesterday with H.J. Langdon. A business with 170 years of heritage, known for innovative flavors, ethical sourcing, and sustainability, they created over 350 restaurant-quality meals with rescued produce in MG’s kitchen, served at Federation Square for those facing food insecurity. Their dedication to sustainability, employee well-being, and ethical supply chains shone through.

Thank you Langdon, for making big a difference
in the lives of our friends on the street .

06/06/2026

Wednesday Feed Melbourne@Fed Square sponsored by Edwards Lifesciences

A heartfelt thank you to the incredible team from Edwards Lifesciences for bringing your passion, care and commitment to The Big Umbrella community.

Drawing on the same values that guide your work improving and transforming lives through innovation, integrity, service and collaboration, your team rolled up their sleeves to create restaurant-quality meals from rescued produce that may otherwise have ended up in landfill. Every meal prepared was infused with kindness, dignity and purpose.

By transforming rescued food into nourishing, delicious meals, you helped support members of our community experiencing food insecurity while also contributing to a more sustainable future. Your generosity demonstrates how meaningful change happens when people come together with compassion and a shared commitment to improving lives.

We are deeply grateful for your support, energy and willingness to serve others. Thank you for helping us create a welcoming, inclusive space where everyone feels valued, connected and cared for.

05/06/2026

Thursday Feed Melbourne@ Fed Square kindly sponsored by
A heartfelt thank you to RACV for being such incredible supporters of The Big Umbrella and the work we do every day to feed Melbourne, reduce food waste, and build a kinder, more compassionate community.

As Victoria’s largest member organisation, RACV has a long-standing commitment to improving lives through community partnerships, social impact initiatives, volunteering, and creating stronger, more connected communities. Their values of care, teamwork, inclusion, and positive social impact shine through not only in the services they provide, but in the way they actively support organisations making a difference on the ground.

Through their dedication to corporate social responsibility and meaningful team-building experiences, RACV continues to demonstrate what it means to be a compassionate contributor to society. Together, we are rescuing food, reducing landfill, nourishing people facing food insecurity, and creating connection where it is needed most.

Thank you, RACV, for helping turn kindness into action.

29/05/2026

Wednesday Feed Melbourne@ Fed Square sponsored by Meaghan Siemensma

A huge heartfelt thank you to Meaghan Siemensma for bringing her wonderful friends and family to take part in the full TBU experience with The Big Umbrella. Their kindness, warmth and genuine compassion brought so much joy, hope and connection to our community and to our friends doing it tough on the streets of Melbourne.

Meaghan leads with an open heart and a deep desire to make a real difference in the lives of others. From preparing and serving meals, sharing conversations, offering dignity and creating a sense of belonging, this beautiful group embraced every part of what TBU stands for.

Moments like these remind us that community is powerful, kindness is contagious and every act of compassion matters. We would love to see more friendship groups and families Meaghan’s inspiring lead and experience firsthand the joy that comes from helping others and building a more inclusive community for all.

29/05/2026

Thursday Feed Melbourne@ Fed Square sponsored by & CMA CGM GROUP (Official)

A massive thank you to the incredible teams from CMA CGM and ANL for returning to The Big Umbrella for their 10th full TBU experience. Your ongoing commitment to people, planet and connection continues to inspire us all.

As global leaders in shipping, logistics and transport, CMA CGM and ANL connect communities and industries across the world, and that same spirit of connection was felt throughout every moment of the day. From cooking with love and serving meals with genuine compassion, to rolling up your sleeves in our closed-loop sustainable urban farm, your team embraced the full heart of TBU.

Together, the group sorted through more than 500kgs of rescued produce, preventing perfectly good food from ending up in landfill and helping us continue providing fresh, nutritious meals to people experiencing food insecurity. Your care for both people and planet truly reflects the values your organisations stand for.

Thank you for standing beside us and showing what corporate kindness in action looks like.


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29/05/2026

Super proud of our volunteer team.

When Wednesday night’s fire broke out next door, our volunteers were the first to respond. Their calmness, courage and quick thinking made a real difference — and ultimately helped save our organisation from disaster.

Without hesitation, they called 000, assisted emergency services with access through our property, turning off gas mains, moving TBU vehicles, helping firefighters gain critical access to the rear of the fire when it was needed most.

These are the moments that define character. In a time of crisis, our volunteers stepped forward, putting community before themselves and doing whatever was needed to help protect the place that serves so many.

We are incredibly grateful, incredibly proud, and incredibly lucky to have people like this as part of the TBU family.

Thank you for stepping up when it mattered most. ❤️

A bike repair shop on in Brunswick, Melbourne, has been completely destroyed by fire. The blaze erupted just before 10pm, requiring 29 firefighters more than...

28/05/2026

Wednesday night was a stark reminder of how close we came to losing everything.
As 14-metre-high flames tore through the business next door, only 6 inches of concrete separated our organisation from disaster. It was a confronting reminder of how quickly things can change and how precious life is.

Our hearts go out to the entire team at Off Course Bike shop during this incredibly difficult time. Watching a neighbouring small business suffer such devastating loss is heartbreaking, and we stand beside them as they begin the long road ahead.

We are also unbelievably grateful for the actions of our TBU volunteers, who were working onsite when the fire broke out. They immediately called 000, assisted Fire Rescue Victoria crews with urgent access through our property, and helped provide critical rear access to the fire ground. Their calm thinking and quick actions made a real difference.

To the firefighters and emergency crews — thank you. Your professionalism, courage, and tireless work through the night saved our building from certain ruin and protected the services that so many people rely on every day. Thank you all for everything you do, without you our organisation would not be here today 🙏

Despite the events of the night, we’re incredibly thankful to share that our meals program continued the very next morning with no disruption to services for the community.

Moments like this remind us that TBU is more than a building. It’s people — volunteers, staff, emergency workers, supporters, and community — all showing up for one another when it matters most.

Thank you to everyone who checked in, offered support, and stood with us over the past 24 hours ❤️

22/05/2026

Celebrating National Volunteer Week alongside Minister Luba Grigorovitch was a fantastic opportunity to highlight the incredible contribution volunteers make across our communities.

It was great to see the Minister campaigning for positive support for volunteer reimbursement through the tax system — something the Federal Government highly needs to support, and we are fully behind this initiative.

Very proud to support your work, Minister, and thank you for your ongoing commitment to volunteers and the community sector.

21/05/2026

National Volunteer Week | Thursday Feed Melbourne @ Fed Square proudly sponsored by Viridian Advisory

A heartfelt thank you to the extraordinary team at Viridian Advisory for the enduring friendship, generosity and partnership you continue to share with TBU over the past 9 years. During National Volunteer Week, we especially celebrate organisations like yours that truly embody the spirit of community and giving back.

Viridian’s commitment to empowering people to “live the life they choose” through compassion, collaboration and meaningful guidance aligns so beautifully with the work we do every day in community. Your team understands that real impact is about people first — creating security, dignity, opportunity and hope.

Over the years, your incredible staff have brought warmth, professionalism and heart into every TBU experience, proving that leadership in the financial advisory sector can go hand in hand with deep social compassion.

We also love that one of our fabulous Wednesday night managers, Michael, first connected with the TBU family through a Viridian corporate team building experience — a beautiful example of how genuine community partnerships create lasting change and lifelong connections.

Thank you for continuing to stand beside us and for showing what meaningful corporate volunteering looks like in action.

21/05/2026

National Volunteer Week- Wednesday Feed Melbourne@Fed Square daunted by Jellis Craig Mooney Valley Kensington

Huge thanks to the incredible team at Jellis Craig Kensington & Moonee Valley for returning once again to the TBU family for another unforgettable team building experience. Again you win the prize for the best dancing in the kitchen on the street and even at clean up.

In an industry built on relationships, trust, integrity and service, your team continues to lead by example — not only as leaders in Melbourne’s real estate sector, but as deeply compassionate humans committed to strengthening community. Your energy, professionalism and genuine care shine through every interaction, whether helping clients find homes or helping our friends experiencing homelessness feel seen, valued and welcomed.

To have now welcomed more than 1,000 Jellis Craig volunteers through our TBU experiences is something truly extraordinary. The culture of collaboration, kindness and community that sits at the heart of Jellis Craig is felt every single time your team walks through our doors.

Thank you for continuing to show that success and compassion can walk hand in hand.





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