General News
1 December, 2022
Community pantry get into the giving spirit
It’s starting to look a lot like a Christmas Appeal with a Maryborough not-for-profit calling on residents to donate and help families in need. The Maryborough Feeding Families Community Pantry is asking locals to donate non-perishable food items...
It’s starting to look a lot like a Christmas Appeal with a Maryborough not-for-profit calling on residents to donate and help families in need.
The Maryborough Feeding Families Community Pantry is asking locals to donate non-perishable food items, gifts, or gift vouchers to make Christmas a special time for everyone in the community.
In a Facebook post asking for donations, the organisation said a lot of families were struggling due to high prices and urged people to add “a little extra” to their shopping baskets to help those who couldn’tbuy their kids a gift.
“The appeal for Christmas is just about trying to get that little bit extra for kids and their parents who can’t really afford it,” Maryborough Community Pantry’s Barbara Stewart said.
“After the couple of years that we’ve had that have been a bit miserable, we’re just trying to give people that little bit of something extra.
“It feels good to give back to the community. I’ve been in a position before where I’ve needed that help and now being able to help people is just really good.”
After all the donations come in, Ms Stewart and her partner Colleen Goldsmith will distribute it among people who’ve reached out to the organisation, requiring extrasupport — but the pantry needs local participation to succeed.
“We want the community to band together — it’s just about an extra item in their shopping bag. It will be really appreciated,” Ms Stewart said.
“I can’t run the community pantry without the community’s help. I’m not funded, I have to raise the funds myself for all of it.
“So, anything the community can donate will be great.
“If we could get a few more local businesses on board, that would be good too.”
Residents can donate to the pantry till December 15 by getting in touch with Barbara Stewart on 0427 584 520.
They can also be found on Facebook by searching Maryborough Community Pantry Vic.