Her idea turned into a reality and she went from reading an internet post about Slim, a Launceston man who has been homeless for 25 years, to starting Launceston feeding the homeless within a matter of hours.

Now, she dedicates every day to providing a service for those in need in the North.

“There was a need, and I’m filling that need,” she said.

“People are hungry, we have got to feed them.”

With almost 5000 people now following her online page, Ms Ritchie has gone from hosting nightly barbecues at Royal Park to opening her very own warehouse.

She provides care packages, blankets, clothing, food – anything and everything a person may need when facing a night on the street.

While she said it was the “happiest time in her life”, her journey has not always been a positive one.

Born in New Zealand, she was adopted at just two-weeks old after her mother decided to keep her sister, but give her up.

Taken in by an abusive family, her childhood was filled with bullying and violence.

That violence carried over into her adult life as she experienced not one, but two abusive partners. 

Finally free of the cycle of violence, she made a life for herself in Launceston with her two children.

While she said she will never forget the experiences that brought her to this point in life, it is those experiences that help her to empathise with the people she is helping.

“I know what it's like to be desperate, broke and lonely and have nowhere else to go,” she said. 

“I’m a kind, caring person and I feel like before I was internally having to battle with who I was. When you've got this negativity fired at you all the time, it just puts you in a really bad space.

“I know that many of the people on the street are going through the same thing.”

When she started out, her goal was to bridge the gap in services in the North and break the stigma attached to being homeless. A few months on and she’s already planning to grow her service.

“My goal is to open accommodation where we can house up to 100 people,” she said.

“It’s a big dream, and I’ve got a lot of work to do but I’m determined to do it. This is just the beginning”

She doesn’t have to do it alone though, with local businesses and community members jumping at the chance to contribute to the cause.

“The support has been just amazing, I couldn't do it without the love and care from everyone,” she said.

While devoting each day to helping other people can be exhausting for her, Ms Ritchie said the experience was also teaching her valuable lessons.

“A lot of the stuff they are going through I have never personally experienced so I am learning a lot about who they are, and how vicious cycles of addiction and struggle can be,” she said.

“I’m learning that these people don’t feel like they’re being heard, they’re not having their needs met and when you don’t feel like you’re getting what you need or you feel like your health and well-being is not being prioritised, you just give up.”

Unable to offer mental health services, she said Tasmania needed a “whole community” approach to dealing with the problems being faced by the homeless and those simply struggling to deal with their personal situation.

“I’m not qualified but I personally get messages from people needing to talk about what they’re going through. It’s heartbreaking to think they can’t just go and get the help they need,” she said.

“We all need to work together to make things happen, offer the services needed and make a difference.”

While she has yet to join forces with any other organisation, Ms Ritchie continues to have a large backing from the local community.

Her Facebook page is inundated daily with comments of support and offers of assistance.

One follower, Kyla Browning said it was a “brilliant example of community spirit”.

Natasha Jarman wrote “you do an amazing thing for the people that are doing it tough at the moment, it's the least we can do. We look forward to helping more in the future”.

Launceston feeding the homeless barbecues are held every night, except Saturday, at Royal Park from 5.30pm to 6.30pm.

To help out or donate contact Launceston feeding the homeless on Facebook.

Donations can also be delivered to the warehouse on Wednesday and Friday between 9am and 2pm at 330 Invermay Road, Mowbray.

If you or someone you know needs help, Lifeline can be contacted on 131 114. Alternatively contact beyondblue on 1300 224 636, Lifelink Samaritans on 1300 364 566, Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800, or MensLine Australia 1300 789 978.