CELEBRITY chef Jamie Oliver has sped up his arrival in the flood-ravaged city of Ipswich, offering free meals to 250 people a day.
Oliver's Ministry of Food kitchen in Ipswich, his first such centre in Australia, was due to open around March.
"Construction for the new Ministry of Food Ipswich was due to commence this week. However given the devastation to the local area, we've put those plans on hold for now to help get the community back on its feet," said program manager for the Ministry of Food Australia, Alicia Peardon.
The centre will be open for two weeks as a drop-in centre for the Ipswich community.
Jamie's Ministry of Food Flood Relief Program, funded by electrical goods retailer The Good Guys, will provide free meals to 250 people per day from Wednesday at the Ministry of Food Centre Ipswich in d'Arcy Doyle Place.
"I've been as shocked as anyone by the scenes of devastation in Queensland and the tragic stories to go with them," Oliver said in a statement.
"It's only right that the Ministry of Food Centre in Ipswich plays its part in helping the community, so I hope that providing free freshly cooked meals for those who need them most will go some way to helping the local community and relief workers in the coming days and weeks.
"The people of Queensland are always in my thoughts at the moment," the British chef said.
Residents and volunteers have been invited to drop in throughout the day for tea and coffee and to collect a meal voucher for a nutritious dinner served between 6pm and 7.30pm (AEST) daily.
Boystown Counselling service will move into the venue in the Ipswich CBD as it becomes a community hub where people can come and get information, support services and a meal for no cost.
Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale said he was delighted to hear of the support being offered by the service.
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