A WAVE of local support has led to a major expansion for Midland’s own DreambuildersCare.

The community organisation - a lifeline for many since 2013 - celebrated a significant milestone late last month with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its newly expanded building on Great Eastern Highway.

The growing demand for both their fundraising OpShop and their essential community services prompted the move as their former space had become too small to keep up with the community influx.

The organisation’s long-time location, at 334-336 Great Eastern Highway, is now entirely dedicated to The Local Hub, their crucial food relief and support centre.

Meanwhile, the next-door building at 338 Great Eastern Highway is now home to their much larger and expanded thrift store.

The expanded OpShop isn’t just a bigger store according to DreambuildersCare chief executive officer Ursula Dixon, it’s the financial engine for all their community work.

“When you’re self-funding like we are, you have to work hard to bring that funding in,” Ms Dixon said.

“17,000 guests have visited our community meals in the last twelve months, and expanding the OpShop allows us to fund that and the other programs we have.”

According to Ms Dixon the demand for their services is clear as The Local Hub provides thousands of hampers and meals annually, but also offers a massive 22,000 kilograms of free bread, fruit, and vegetables donated each year by local supermarkets and growers.

The free produce alone accounts for 40 per cent of their foot traffic, with low-cost groceries making up another 40 per cent.

The organisation also runs other vital, free services, including showers, laundry facilities, and daily community meals.

“The numbers show there is a real need for our services here, we’re smack bang in the poverty belt, so we’re in an appropriate space to make the biggest impact, and the biggest difference to people’s lives.”

With more floor space for sales, Ms Dixon hopes the OpShop can generate the increased income needed to fund their crucial food relief and support programs.

While the thrift store drives the fundraising she stressed that the ultimate success of the hub depends on the generous spirit of the local community.

“If you can support us please do, we accept anything you can offer: volunteers, donations, or simply becoming a customer,” she said.

Ms Dixon also encourages everyone in need to stop by their newly expanded shop at 338 Great Eastern Highway

Residents who want to help keep the DreambuildersCare dream alive can find more information about volunteering or donating by visiting their website.