The Power of Kindness: How Grateful Givers is Changing Lives

A simple act of kindness can change a life—and that’s exactly what we set out to do.

Hi there! We’re Alicia and Imran Khan, the proud co-founders of Grateful Givers, a grassroots movement dedicated to supporting Brisbane’s homeless and those in need.

Our journey started on Christmas Eve in 2012 with a simple yet powerful idea: what if we spent our holiday giving back instead of just celebrating? That one moment changed everything. Since then, we’ve provided gifts, essential items, and support to thousands of homeless individuals, struggling families, and children doing it tough—not just at Christmas, but all year round.

What began as a small personal gesture has blossomed into a global movement, with incredible individuals from New Zealand, the USA, Sweden, and beyond joining in. Through the power of social media, local news, and our amazing community of givers, we’ve turned compassion into action.

Grateful Givers

At Grateful Givers, we believe in direct, hands-on giving. We collect and distribute essential items, including:

  • Backpacks filled with necessities
  • Toiletries and hygiene products
  • Warm clothing and bedding
  • Food and drinks for those in need

Every donation we receive goes straight into the hands of those who need it most, ensuring immediate impact.

We couldn’t do this alone! We now have an amazing team—Michaela, Margo, Brendon, and Sam—who help us keep this beautiful movement growing. Together, we continue to expand our reach and impact.

As a small incorporated association, we face hurdles, particularly when it comes to fundraising. But we have big dreams, and this year, we’re striving to:

✅ Hire a transport van to streamline deliveries
✅ Provide safety vests for volunteers to enhance visibility and unity
✅ Launch our very own website to reach more people in need
✅ Get banners and signage for fundraising events like sausage sizzles and markets

Grateful Givers thrives on the generosity of people like you. Whether you want to:

  • Offer financial support
  • Donate essential items
  • Spread the word about our mission

Every little bit makes a huge difference.

We are committed to helping everyone, no matter their background or identity—there is zero tolerance for discrimination here. If you believe in what we do and want to be part of our mission, we’d love to hear from you!

On Christmas Eve 2012, just one hour before the shops closed, we found ourselves reflecting on what it would feel like to wake up homeless on Christmas morning. The loneliness, the isolation, the sadness—it was a stark contrast to the warmth and joy most people experience during the holiday season.

With just 30 minutes before closing time, we raced to the supermarket, filling our cart with essentials and sweet treats. We rushed home, packed them into small bags, wrote heartfelt Christmas cards, and eagerly waited for Christmas morning.

That morning, we drove into the city, hand-delivering our gifts to anyone we found sleeping rough. We left feeling different, knowing that perhaps, in some small way, we had brightened someone’s day.

Since that first Christmas, we have repeated this tradition every single year, and along the way, we’ve built a community of like-minded people from around the world who share our vision of kindness and generosity.

The reality is that anyone can become homeless. A string of bad luck, a few tough decisions, and suddenly, your entire world changes.

Our passion is helping people—it’s what we do in our daily lives and what inspired us to build this charity. At its core, Grateful Givers is about sharing love. We want to show people just how easy it is to get involved and create lasting change, ensuring that future generations experience a brighter tomorrow.

Together, we can make a real difference—one act of kindness at a time. Thank you for being here. 💙

Share this page via:

Facebook
LinkedIn