{"id":372,"date":"2022-10-12T07:22:12","date_gmt":"2022-10-12T07:22:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/mtgambiertimes\/?p=372"},"modified":"2023-11-01T07:28:09","modified_gmt":"2023-11-01T07:28:09","slug":"taking-care-of-the-community","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/mtgambiertimes\/news\/taking-care-of-the-community\/","title":{"rendered":"Taking care of the community"},"content":{"rendered":"

New FREE pantry installed ready to support those doing it tough<\/strong><\/p>\n

Kalbarri Kindergarten is the latest educational setting to have a little FREE pantry installed.<\/p>\n

The pantry will service the Portland North community for those individuals and families doing it tough.<\/p>\n

Located at the front of the Kindergarten in Mitchell Crescent, the pantry will be managed under the stewardship of Kalbarri Kindergarten staff and families.<\/p>\n

Pantry staples, pet food and hygiene items will be available at different times.<\/p>\n

United Way Glenelg executive officer Nicole Carr said while some items may not always be available, they\u2019re grateful for the support they receive in the way of donations.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur partnership with Warrnambool and District Foodshare means pantry staples such as baked beans, spaghetti, soup, and muesli bars are available at all times,\u201d Mrs Carr said.<\/p>\n

\u201cKeeping food up to the pantries can be challenging when the demand is so great.<\/p>\n

\u201cLast year we received 1062 kgs of food. This year we have already surpassed this weight in food.\u201d<\/p>\n

The pantries offer a great educational opportunity to talk to children about food insecurity. According to a 2021 Foodbank Australia report, 2 in 5 children go hungry in Australia with some children going a whole day without eating at least once a week.<\/p>\n

When approaching this topic with children a great way is to explain it in simple terms.<\/p>\n

Explaining food insecurity means living without reliable access to enough food that\u2019s affordable, nutritious, and appropriate. That there are a lot of kids in Australia who often miss meals and feel hungry. Children may not notice this about their friends, but if they do, they should tell a grown-up.<\/p>\n

You can also get practical by visiting the supermarket with your children and teaching some lessons about food availability, the cost of food, access to food, and budgeting. While you\u2019re there, discuss the differences in price and nutritional value of cheap, processed food, and healthy, fresh produce.<\/p>\n

The pantry was constructed by Heywood Men\u2019s Shed and painted by local artist Gene Stewart who created a desert scene using bright and colourful paints.<\/p>\n

The LFP is coordinated by United Way Glenelg and funded with a grant from Glenelg Shire Council and the Victorian State Government.<\/p>\n

Everyone is invited to place or take goods from inside the box as they please or need.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

PANTRY ITEMS<\/strong><\/p>\n