The stage was set for an outdoor tea party for toddlers last Saturday morning to raise funds for families in poverty through Food for Thought. Instead we woke up to pouring rain and tantrum number one for the day.

They say you can’t rely on the weather but I was in denial so we pressed on preparing the food – the scent of fresh coffee and cupcakes filling the air as the sun came out. Guests were due to arrive in an hour and all was right with the world. Then it poured, again.

So naturally we moved everything – into the garage. I admit, it’s not the most ideal place for kids to party, but at least it was dry. With a few streamers and balloons, we transformed the messiest place in the house into a toddler haven.

After all, the show must go on! This was all for a good cause, supporting Opportunity International Australia’s Food for Thought campaign by hosting a food-related event to help families leave poverty behind. And it doesn’t take much. A small loan of $73 was enough to help Marince get a business up and running, helping her earn regular income so she could feed her children three meals a day and send them to school.

It didn’t take long before the garage was filled with happy little faces, giggles and paint-covered toes. Bellies were filling up with fancy fruit skewers and personally decorated cupcakes and biscuits.

Mums and dads had their coffee fixes and the activities were in full flight. A big thanks to my wife for her wonderful ideas and creations. The kids enjoyed cupcake decorating, painting, balloon popping and anything they could throw, eat or squish – perfect! All in the name of good fun and a great cause.

With a little over a month left of Food for Thought, find out how you can host your own food-tastic get together for families in need here.

Daniel Belzer is Opportunity's State Manager (NSW & ACT), connecting supporters to their impact on the lives of families in poverty.