Regional Heroes: Bridge Builders; The Peel-based charity putting dignity back on the table

If you’ve ever wondered what grassroots community care looks like in action, head to Greenfields in WA. That’s where you’ll find Bridge Builders Inc, a small charity with a big heart and even bigger impact.

From lunch boxes to transitional housing, this team is on a mission to make sure no family or child in The Peel region is left behind. They’re filling bellies, restoring dignity, delivering joy, and building connection. And now, they’ve earned a spot as a finalist in the 2025 Regional Heroes competition.

“We believe every child deserves to feel valued and every family deserves dignity,” says CEO Kelly Hinder.

It’s a big mission, but one Bridge Builders delivers on daily, through programs like the Community Food Pantry, Backpack Buddies, The Haven transitional housing, and their joy-filled Birthday in a Box and Gift of Christmas initiatives.

The origins of Bridge Builders

Bridge Builders began as a community outreach ministry of Mandurah Baptist Church, responding to the rising needs of families across the Peel region. It was a small idea with big intentions.

“What started as a small initiative has grown into a dedicated grassroots charity,” Kelly says,

The inspiration came from what Kelly and her team were witnessing every day: kids turning up to school without lunch, families falling through the cracks, and parents working full-time jobs but still unable to make ends meet.

“We saw a silent crisis among the ‘working poor’,” she explains. “Too many kids were missing school, not because they didn’t want to go, but because their families couldn’t manage the basics.”

Filling the gaps

One of the biggest problems in the region is a lack of practical support for kids aged 4 to 12.

“Outside what the education system could provide, there was little to no support,” Kelly says. The team saw it all the time: no lunch, no uniform, no way to get to school. The existing safety nets just weren’t catching these families in time.

Enter Backpack Buddies, a simple but powerful idea supported by Telethon 7 Perth. It ensures school kids have food on the weekends – something most of us take for granted. And it works.

“Knowing we’ve helped fill that gap so children can thrive, no matter what’s in their pantry at home, continues to inspire us every single day,” says Kelly.

Fighting for the forgotten

Kelly doesn’t shy away from the truth: funding and support in WA is often city-centric. “Resources stop well before they reach us,” she says. Services are stretched thin, and it’s local families who pay the price.

Bridge Builders has tackled this challenge head-on, advocating for locally led, community-focused solutions.

“We believe sustainable, client-centred, locally led solutions are far more effective than short-term band-aid measures,” Kelly tells Business Builders..

It’s a message that’s starting to resonate, thanks in no small part to the team’s tireless campaigning. “We’re working hard to shine a light on the Peel region. We won’t stop until our community is seen and heard.”

The power of regional community

While the challenges are real, so are the wins. “The absolute best part of running a regional charity is the village heart,” says Kelly. Whether it’s schools packing food hampers, volunteers giving their time, or local businesses pitching in, the region shows up.

“There’s a shared passion here for making life better for others. It’s not just business, it’s community,” she says. And that community spirit fuels every birthday box, every food parcel, and every safe place offered at The Haven.

Bigger than food

While Bridge Builders provides food, housing, and essentials, itts impact goes much deeper.

“We’ve sparked collaborations that unite people with a shared mission of compassion,” Kelly says. From reducing stigma around poverty and homelessness to creating stronger connections between schools, churches, and local organisations, their work is about lasting change.

They’ve also shown up when it counts.

“Winning the Alcoa Peel Business Excellence Awards for Charitable Organisation of the Year two years running was a huge recognition,” says Kelly. But awards aside, the real pride is in the people: “We’re proud of the lives we’re helping rebuild.”

No safety net? No worries

It might surprise you to learn that Bridge Builders receives no ongoing government funding.

“People assume everything is handed to us, but we work incredibly hard to stretch every dollar,” Kelly says.

They purchase essential food items themselves, often relying on Foodbank and supermarkets to stock their pantry.

“That resourcefulness and community-driven spirit is what keeps us going.”

Advice for aspiring changemakers

Kelly has clear advice for anyone looking to start a business in the regions.

“It’s all about relationships. Take the time to connect with your chamber of commerce, your community, your fellow small businesses.”

And always lead with kindness. “Regional communities thrive when we look out for one another. Celebrate each other’s wins. Offer a hand when times get tough.”

What’s next?

Next on the radar are a Pet Pantry and Baby Bank. Because families shouldn’t have to choose between feeding the kids and caring for the cat.

“We know how important pets and babies are to family life. We want to make sure no one has to choose between putting food on the table and caring for them,”says Kelly.

They’re also expanding their existing programs to meet rising demand.

“We’re committed to building a brighter, more compassionate future for every family in the Peel region.”

A well-deserved moment in the spotlight

Being named a Regional Heroes finalist means a lot to teh charity.

“It’s incredibly humbling and deeply uplifting. It shines a light on the real struggles faced by families and children in our region – and the powerful work our community is doing to address them,” she says.

The accolade is also a boost for the volunteers, the donors, the kids, and the families. And it’s a timely reminder that real change often starts with a packed lunch, a secondhand school uniform, or a moment of joy wrapped in a birthday box.

In the Peel region, hope doesn’t come in headlines. It comes in hampers. And thanks to Bridge Builders, it’s delivered with heart.

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