Gungahlin Food Pantry and Café
Many Canberra residents struggle to make ends meet, however, one Gungahlin church works hard to ease this financial burden. The Gungahlin Uniting Church runs an initiative called the Food Pantry, which aims to provide support for individuals struggling financially. The Food Pantry sells food at a subsidised cost, and is open every Thursday at 11-1pm and 6-7pm.
Anyone who is unemployed or on a low income can join the initiative for a onetime fee of $1. The food costs $1.30 by the kilo, excluding meat which is sold at cost. The Pantry sell items such as biscuits, pasta, noodles, butter, milk, sauces, tinned fruit, tinned vegetables, muesli bars, frozen foods, meat, free bread and free fruit and vegetables.
Co-coordinator of the initiative, Alison Tweedie, says “I don’t like calling our customers clients, they’re not clients, they’re just people like you and me, there’s no hierarchy”.
The initiative began in 2013 and has grown to approximately 500 members. Church Minister Mark Faulkner says in Canberra, “There’s high wages, high income we think that’s how everyone lives, well that’s completely rubbish”.
Homelessness Australia found that Canberra has the second highest rate of homelessness in the country. Thanks to services like The Food Pantry Alison says “People from families, individuals, who are struggling financially to make ends meet can come and get a bit of relief in the way of food and household things like cleaning products and toiletries”.
The initiative depends on the hard work of everyone involved with the initiative, who are all donating their time and resources.
Most volunteers are members of the Church, however, the program also receives some support from the local community. The fruit and vegetables are grown in the Churches community garden and some are also donated by the Crace community garden. The bread is provided by two Gungahlin bakeries; Bakers Delight and Saigon Bakery.
The Church also runs a free café on the Thursday from 10-1pm which provides tea, coffee, biscuits and a chat to anyone who needs it. Alison says while they do not offer any miracles or advice, talking is an important part to offer so that every person “can walk away and feel they’ve been met”
Alison says that the initiative has “made my life a lot richer, just knowing 500 people from all walks of life”.
Anyone wanting to enquire about this initiative can contact the Church on 6242 5001 or 6242 0515
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