Blacktown City Salvos open food pantry to help locals doing it tough
BY DEAN SIMPSON
Blacktown City Salvation Army in Sydney’s west opened a new Community Food Pantry in response to unprecedented demand from local people needing support because of cost-of-living pressures.
The official opening took place on Thursday 15 October during Anti-Poverty Week.
Major Paul Moulds, from Greater West Salvos, said it is particularly appropriate to open this new service during Anti-Poverty Week, when we are reminded that many people in the “lucky country” are finding it increasingly difficult to make their household income stretch.
Paul explained that more people were approaching Blacktown City Salvos for help each week.
“After paying for housing, utilities, transport and other essential expenses, sometimes there simply isn’t enough left for food,” he said.
Paul also described how “the impact of poverty prevents individuals and families being able to participate in community activities, increases unsustainable debt, and forces people to delay paying bills or undertaking essential medical or dental treatment.
“The Salvation Army is already providing essential food and practical support to hundreds of desperate people across Western Sydney every week, and by opening this new service in Blacktown, we hope to be able to increase this support by providing the local community access to a wide range of essential food and other products at prices much cheaper than the supermarket charges, with bread, fruit, and vegies free of any cost.”
The aim of the Community Pantry, Paul says, is to reduce cost-of-living pressures by dramatically lowering weekly grocery bills, giving people more income to spend on their families and invest in their dreams.
A section of the existing Blacktown City Corps building has been converted into space for the pantry.
Paul acknowledged support from local businesses Sargents Pies, which financially supported this new venture and Food Rescue Partners Foodbank, Oz Harvest, Second Bite and Aldi, whose weekly food donations and support make this service possible.
He also paid tribute to the “army of local volunteers” who support this initiative by picking up donations, sorting the food, stacking the shelves and operating the Pantry.
Another aim of the Community Pantry is to connect customers with other services that can holistically assist them.
The Community Pantry will be open three days a week.
“We find as we serve people on the frontline with food and other vital life necessities, that many of these contacts and conversations become doors to help people with multiple other problems, and link them to great local services for support,” Paul said.
“We want to ensure that people experiencing hardship know they do not have to face those challenges alone.”
Blacktown Councillor Susai Benjamin OAM officially opened the new service and highlighted the Council’s support for initiatives such as this that strengthen local communities and assist individuals facing challenging circumstances.
The Salvation Army’ Moneycare set up a table for people who wanted to find out more about the free financial counselling service. A sausage sizzle was also available on the day.
The Community Pantry is located at 2 Kempsey Street, Blacktown and will initially open three days a week – Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, between 10am and 2.30pm.
Click through the slideshow below to view more photos of the Community Pantry official opening:
