Public pantry primed at Primary School

FRESHLY filled with its first stock of non-perishable food, the Meredith pantry is ready to serve its community if ever required.

An initiative of Meredith Primary, the publicly accessible, weather-proof cupboard has been created to offer free grocery supplies to all local residents, not just school families, if ever they need the help.

Installed at the discreet lower corner of the school on Russell Street, the pantry has been a collaborative construction project between students and maintenance man, Ralph Holtz, built from recycled timber, tin and an old donated fridge.

A bit like a street library, principal Steven Trotter emphasised that it’s not a take and replace system.

“That defeats the purpose. We’d prefer people to take the food if they need it, and not feel like they have to then give back,” he said.

“It is a balance. It’s going to support people in financial hardship, and if that’s the case, you don’t want them to feel under pressure like they have to give it back, or they’re not going to use it.

“Also, just the element of access out here. It’s probably an hour, round trip, to the supermarket. Not all of our families can do that, not all drive, and we’ve got a general population of elderly people that may not drive, need to catch a bus, or to be driven.”

The Meredith pantry idea was sparked after grade 6 students attended a leadership day and brainstormed community issues, specifically access.

Finishing their term four learning, the group will pass the pantry management and top-up baton to grade 5 pupils like 11-year-old Max.

He said it’s a positive addition to the town because busy family life can be challenging.

“Sometimes people are not able to go to the supermarket with all their kids in the car, take them out of the car, put them back in, go home, cook… It’s a bit too hard,” he said.

“If you can just go up to the Meredith Pantry at the school and pick up some food, you can go and cook it for dinner.”

Mr Trotter said the local government has connected the school to charitable groups to keep the cupboard full of non-perishables.

“We don’t want families to feel like they have to replace it, so we’re sourcing food from food banks and other charities within the local area.”