The Community Place has introduced a new initiative, The Stafford Street Pantry, which is making a meaningful difference in the community.
The idea for the food relief project emerged during a 4053 Community Connections Group meeting, a network of local organisations working together.
Rebecca Hainsworth from The Community Place said the group identified a gap in emergency food relief in Stafford on Fridays, leaving families with school-aged children struggling through the weekend and Monday.
“One thing that became clear to me was that all the organisations were feeling beaten down by the size and scale of the need we were seeing and frustrated at the limitations we were working with,” Rebecca said. “I could see the energy in the room lift when we identified a strategy to meet it.”
The pantry was built by the Ferny Grove Men’s Shed, with decoration by Steve Hall from Repair Café Stafford. Volunteers from local Uniting and Anglican churches help keep it stocked.
Rebecca said the pantry operated on the principles of “give what you can” and “take what you need”.
“People continue to be hit with the increased cost of food and utilities,” she said. “This winter has been particularly cold. If providing some free food means someone can afford to keep their heater going, then the pantry’s impact is far greater than the food alone.
“But the pantry is more than the transaction of giving or taking food. It is an outward demonstration of community connection.”
How to Support and Access the Stafford Street Pantry
The Venerable Steven Schwarzrock, St Clement’s Anglican Church, said the community pantry was a powerful way to put faith into action, offering practical compassion and meeting people where they are.
“It will make a real difference for families in Stafford, and we’re proud to support something that brings both hope and help so close to home,” he said.
“For us, this pantry is about more than food, it’s about caring for our neighbours in real and tangible ways.”
A QR code on the pantry links visitors to other local food relief and support services.
Rebecca said she hopes the community will give the pantry a name through the Stafford Street Pantry Facebook page, which will be used to call for donations and share recipes made with canned food.
The pantry accepts donations of unopened non-perishable goods such as ring-pull tins, pasta, cereal, biscuits, coffee, tea bags, long-life drinks, kid-friendly snacks, and toiletries.
Items can also be dropped off at Marchant Ward Councillor Danita Parry’s office, Level 1, 375 Hamilton Road, Chermside.
For more information, search ‘Stafford Street Pantry’ on Facebook or call The Community Place on 3857 1152 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 3pm).
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