A new food pantry will open in Macclesfield next week as part of a community response to rising costs of living.
Food aid, social connection and information on support services will be offered to local residents at Macclesfield Institute on Monday mornings.
The idea was initiated when a Macclesfield woman sought support through The Haven Mount Barker, and struggled with food for the month.
“The services are not getting out into the community, so we’re actually taking it to the community,” The Haven’s Jenny Terlet said.
“It’s all very well to have it in Mount Barker, but we’re all in the Mount Barker Council area and we all need to be looked after as well – 20km of fuel – some people can’t afford that.”
Support has been drummed up through the local community, with many residents already signing up as volunteers or donating non-perishable foods.
Ms Terlet is a co-ordinator alongside Hannah Jewell, who agreed the distance from Macclesfield to Mount Barker for services may exclude some local residents, particularly without public transport, including those with disabilities and the elderly.
“Having it in your own community means it reaches more people,” she said.
“The cost of living has just increased dramatically since COVID, and it just keeps getting worse.
“Everywhere you look, people who might have previously been okay financially are now finding themselves squeezed – everyday people.
“You never know when it’s going to be you who needs the help.
“One day you could be fine and the next day you get sick and can’t provide.”
When Macclesfield Community Food Pantry is open, tea, coffee and biscuits will be available for people to connect and socialise.
“It makes an opportunity for people who might have been stuck at home… to come in and have a cuppa with us,” Ms Jewell said.
“It develops social cohesion… and trying to include people who would otherwise get lost a bit in the background, they can come out and take advantage of what’s on offer.”
Non-perishable donations may include tinned soup, beans, spaghetti, tuna, packets of pasta, rice, jars of sauce, tea and coffee, and can be dropped-off to Macclesfield General Store.
Macclesfield Community Food Pantry is supported by Coles, the Macclesfield Community Association, Macclesfield General Store, SecondBite and Mount Barker Community Centre.
Macclesfield Community Food Pantry will open at Macclesfield Institute, every Monday, from 10am to noon, from next week, April 17.
For further information, including volunteering queries, call Ms Jewell on: (0438 833 211).