Lismore Uniting Church Food Pantry Marks 10 Years of Food Relief

The Lismore Food Pantry began in April 2012 as an initiative of Lismore Uniting Church, offering food relief to financially disadvantaged residents of the city, their families, and the wider community. The city, the capital of culture of the Northern Rivers region, sits on the banks of the Wilsons River and has grown from a dairying community into a gateway to one of New South Wales’ most beautiful regions. The Food Pantry was designed not only as a place to buy inexpensive dry goods, groceries, and produce, but also as a friendly and welcoming environment for people under financial stress.

Barry Perry, Food Pantry Organiser and Church Council Chairperson, told Insights Magazine that he and his wife, Diane, had been involved since the project began. He said the outreach was first proposed by a former pastor of the Lismore Regional Mission, Colin Scott, who developed much of its framework and operation, which continues today. The Lismore City Council provided a funding grant to help establish the Food Pantry in 2012. The Perrys became the Food Pantry coordinators after Scott’s departure in mid-2014.

Perry said that some families and individuals under financial stress may give low priority to providing nourishing and adequate food for the family table, and that the Food Pantry aims to reach, support, and assist those people wherever possible. The not-for-profit service provides low-cost food products, groceries, dry goods, bread, milk, vegetables, and dairy products to people in need across the community.

Most of the supplies come from FoodBank NSW in Sydney, which receives large donations of food from major retailers, distributors, and growers and passes it on to more than 500 agencies across New South Wales, including the Food Pantry, at very low prices. The Lismore Community Garden donates fresh vegetables, and Coles donates bread and bakery products weekly through the national food rescue program SecondBite.

The Food Pantry also supplies a school breakfast program each Thursday, serving three local high schools, six local primary schools, and approximately 140 students. Items including cereals, spreads, milk, bread, fruit, yoghurt, margarine, juice, and muesli bars are provided to vulnerable students who arrive at school without an adequate breakfast. Perry said the program was introduced by the Lismore Uniting Church Regional Mission some five years ago and that a proper breakfast has been shown to help students settle and be ready for the school day, which in turn supports teachers. Caring for children who arrive hungry, the program reflects care for those most in need (Isaiah 58:7).

The Lismore Uniting Church Regional Mission also provides food relief hampers five days a week to disadvantaged families, with FoodBank NSW and the Food Pantry supplying the bulk of the food for that work. Volunteers from the community and the congregation make an essential contribution to the Food Pantry’s success. On average, 40 to 55 people access the outreach each week, and friendships have grown among shoppers, members, and volunteers.

The Food Pantry struggled to keep operating during lockdowns, but since it reopened in April 2021, a short meditation and prayer have been shared with volunteers and shoppers each Thursday before the doors open at 9.30 am. They pray for God’s blessing on all who come through the doors and on the work done in his name.

The year 2022 marks the Food Pantry’s 10th anniversary. Before the pandemic, an annual birthday party was held with the mayor of Lismore, local members of parliament, and the media in attendance. Because of current circumstances, a special celebration is anticipated in April to mark the milestone.

The Food Pantry is open every Thursday from 9.30 am to noon and is a community outreach of Lismore Uniting Church. Membership is free, and everyone is welcome to join. Holders of a current Centrelink benefit are eligible to use the Food Pantry, as are St Vincent de Paul voucher holders.

Source: Read the original report