HELPING the world's poorest is the aim of the 160-year-old Catholic Mission and a passion for the organisation's Toowoomba diocesan director Beatrice Lucas.

From her office in Toowoomba, Beatrice co-ordinates mission projects from schools and other organisations across Toowoomba's vast diocese, and sees that the funds raised get to where they can be used best by missions across the world.

"The schools raise money for the missions throughout the year but in particular during Mission Month," Beatrice explained.

Catholic Mission Toowoomba recently held an International Food Fare among the gardens of Leo and Carol Keutmann's Joseph Lodge at Finni.

"It was a wonderful day, 110 people attended," Beatrice said.

"Most of the food was donated and people brought along different foods from different countries.

"We had Sudanese food, Egyptian, Italian, Filipino, French, Lebanese and foods from different parts of Africa and of course Australia.

"The day was so successful and the people who attended liked it so much that we will be doing it again next year."

The International Food Fare raised more than $7500 which will be forwarded to the Bushulo Health Centre in Hawassa Vicariate, in famine-stricken Ethiopia.

"The centre is run by Australian-born Franciscan nun Sr Maureen Elliott," Beatrice said.

"It cares for 28,000 malnourished mothers and babies every year."