LIFE Foundation Food Pantry will celebrate its first anniversary on Vivian Street in March, and about three years providing food at low to no cost to disadvantaged residents.
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Pantry manager, Chaplain Leonie Pearce said they have seen a rising need by aged pensioners in the community, and felt heartened that people were coming forward for assistance.
“Seniors do it tough on their pensions a lot of times, so it’s really helped,” she said.
“And the area has expanded heaps more. Glen Innes - a lot are from Glen, Warialda, Bingara, Bundarra, so the area has really widened now, which is really awesome.”
The pantry moved from Campbell Street in 2014, and Leonie said some clients were reluctant to visit the new shop.
“It’s taken a while to get our clientele back again. Sometimes too, people feel a little intimidated coming now because it’s more public here, and they don’t like to be seen to come,” she said.
To access pantry services, people need to present a pension, disability or unemployment card. Leonie said even if people are working but struggling, she will make a concession so they don’t go hungry.
The pantry offers a once-a-week shop per client, and Leonie said people can walk away with about $50 of food and pay half that cost. She said they must charge because the pantry is not subsidised and they purchase food by the weight.
Locals have been generous, dropping in boxes and bags of food. Tatts Hotel donated 10 hams for Christmas last year as well.
If a gardener comes in with extra fresh vegetables or fruit, Leonie said that food is given away.
The service struggled last year to stay afloat and Leonie said to stay open, they can no longer afford to provide straight welfare in the form of free food.
“Mind you, if they do come and they’re really strapped, I’ll send them away with bread or veggies,” she said.
Crockery and kitchen ware is also free for those in need.
“If people come from the women’s shelter, for instance, they can buy cheap food here and I just say to them, ‘Tell me when you’re going to set up home, we’ve got heaps of that stuff out there. I’m happy to give it to you.’”