“This journey would not have happened without miracles,” says Lighthouse Care founder Debbie Hill.
Miracles have ensured that Debbie, her husband Ron, and now their children have kept their faith and continued their mission for more than 20 years—helping those less fortunate in the Logan area and beyond.
However, no matter how far their reach extends, Debbie remains steadfast in her love for her community.
“Logan,” she says emphatically, “is the best place on the planet.”
This is the place where the couple raised their five sons and, every day, work towards making the world a better place—one act of kindness at a time.
Their passion for helping others is reflected in their mission to make food accessible. And who understands the necessity of healthy, regular meals better than a mother? Debbie recalls the challenge of keeping her young boys fed and how she constantly searched for budget-friendly, nutritious food.
“They were forever hungry,” she says.
This personal experience is elemental to the foundation and longevity of Lighthouse Care – a place for budget groceries and community care.
“We’re going into our 21st year,” Debbie says proudly.
Now, Lighthouse Care operates from two retail warehouses, where they sell food at up to 70% off average prices and offer their famous $25 trolley—packed with groceries worth $200 to $300.
Running such an operation requires immense effort, but Debbie is grateful that her sons, as they have grown, have joined in, sharing their parents' motivation to make a difference.
“They want to do their best to help people,” she says.
Yet, working together alone is not enough to sustain their close-knit family.
“Every Sunday, we all gather for a meal—our sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren,” she says. “It’s a great time.”
The origin of Lighthouse Care is a story of chance, risk, action, faith, and persistence—particularly now, as rising living costs make their mission increasingly challenging.
“For us,” Debbie says, “things are definitely the worst they have ever been.”
Like many Australians, the Hill family is grappling with rising interest rates on the property they purchased to run their affordable grocery service. Simultaneously, food prices continue to climb.
“And there’s more demand than ever,” Debbie says, referring to increasing food requests and support services.
Still, this is the rollercoaster ride she and Ron signed up for.
It all began when Debbie, as a young mother, suffered a nervous breakdown and spent time in the psychiatric unit at Logan Hospital. There, she witnessed firsthand the struggles of the less fortunate. That experience ignited a passion strong enough to launch a movement of hope and assistance.
Motivated by this, the couple stepped away from their home printing business and, with a small core group of people, began handing out bread from a van in Eagleby.
From little things, big things grow. Demand led them to move into their living room and garage in Eagleby.
“We invited people inside for a coffee,” Debbie recalls.
The milestones kept coming. Five years later, they were assisting 300 families weekly. By 2009, they expanded into a storefront, where they still operate today.
Currently, Lighthouse Care has 32 part-time and full-time staff, working tirelessly to support 80,000 people annually across their two locations in Loganholme and Hillcrest. They also offer online click-and-collect services and home deliveries.
‘Making lives better so that together we can make the world better’ is their mission statement. They are dedicated to creating a place of hope, support, and encouragement where lives can be transformed.
Factbox
Grease Lightning Fundraiser: A night of fun for a great cause
Rock 'n' roll, good vibes, and giving back—these are the perfect ingredients for an unforgettable night at Lighthouse Care’s annual fundraiser.
‘Grease Lightning,’ a themed event organized by Debbie and Ron Hill, is the latest in a series of fundraisers that have supported their journey of love and giving since 2004.
???? Date: 14th June 2025
???? Location: Logan Entertainment Centre
???? Time: 6:00pm – 10:00pm
More info: Our Story – Lighthouse Care
