Free pantry program continues to expand

More new pantries set to open in the community

Karreeta Peenyeet Mara – Portland Child and Family Complex has just installed a Little FREE Pantry to support their community by giving access to not only food but infant supplies such as baby formula.

Located at the integrated facility, the pantry will be accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and will be managed under the stewardship of the staff, children, and their families.

Pantry staples, pet food and hygiene items will be available at different times, but items cannot always be guaranteed.

The pantries are topped up by United Way Glenelg, each week, through a partnership with Warrnambool and District Food Share but most items will come as donations from the community.

United Way Glenelg executive officer Nicole Carr said the partnership with Warrnambool and District Foodshare means pantry staples such as baked beans, spaghetti, soup, and muesli bars are available at most times.

“Support from local businesses such as Harbour Lights Snack Bar who have forwarded donations made by their customers has given a greater variety in pantry options,” Ms Carr said.

Several other pantries are earmarked for installation in the Glenelg Shire community, one at Heywood & District Secondary College and another at Dartmoor Primary School. Once installed this will bring the total number of pantries to 10.

“As the cost of living rises and the holiday season approaches, many people are worried about how they will be able to afford to buy food and make nutritious meals,” Ms carr said.

“Food insecurity often happens when a household needs to spend more than 25 per cent of its disposable income on food. Some residents are managing by reducing their meal sizes, while others are going whole days without food,”

Little FREE Pantry locations;

• Bundarra Primary School – Edgar Street Portland
• Casterton Primary School – McPherson Street Casterton
• Elsa MacLeod Kindergarten – Henty Street Portland
• Heywood Consolidated Primary School – Kentbruck Road Heywood
• Kalbarri Kindergarten – Mitchell Crescent Portland
• Portland Primary School – Palmer Street Portland
• Portland South Primary School – Moorhouse Street Portland
• Portland Child & Family Complex

– Julia Street Portland

If you wish to donate, simply purchase one of the following items [making sure all items are non-perishable, unopened & within best-before/use-by-date] and place it in the pantry.

• Long-life milk & fruit-juice (200mL & 1L)
• Rice, pasta, pasta sauce
• Non-perishable meat (Eg Jerky, Tinned Chicken/ Tuna/ Sardines/ Spam/ Ham)
• Tinned Fruit and Vegetables
• Breakfast items (Eg Instant Oats Sachets, Kellog’s variety packs, breakfast biscuits etc)
• Peanut butter and vegemite (small plastic jars preferred)
• Sachets of Sugar, Tea & Coffee
• Snacks (Eg non-perishable dip biscuits,)
• Biscuits (Eg Salada’s, Vita Weet, breakfast biscuits)
• Feminine hygiene products
• Toiletries (Eg toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, sunscreen, combs, soap, cotton buds, body wipes, 2-in-1 shampoo/ conditioner)
• First Aid supplies (eg travel first-aid kits, band-aids, insect repellant, nappies, wipes)

People requiring food, crisis & supported accommodation can visit Salvation Army, 33 Henty Street Portland or call 5521 8134 and St Vincent de Paul’s, 32 McPherson

St Casterton Wed – Fri 10am – 4pm Sat 10am – 12noon or telephone (03)5581 2161.