Council social club donates to community pantries
Published on 11 July 2022
When Glenelg Shire Council's Social Club isn’t socialising they’re busy doing good, by donating to United Way Glenelg’s Little FREE Pantry initiative.
The Social Club, which is an initiative of Council employees, recently donated $800 to local charity United Way Glenelg to support vulnerable members in the community.
The donation will be used to purchase over $800 of nutritiously dense foods for the Little FREE Pantry, with the assistance of SEAChange, to be placed on the pantry shelves across the Glenelg Shire.
“As a Committee, we wanted to ensure this donation went to local families who are most in need, which is why we chose United Way's Little FREE Pantry” said Social Club President Ricky Luke.
“Our Social Club Committee has a long and proud history of supporting local charities and causes, and a number of our staff are workplace givers and regularly donate a portion of their salary.”
“We look forward to continuing to partner with local not-for-profit organisations like United Way Glenelg to help give back to our community.”
The Little FREE pantries are serving families and individuals who are struggling to put food on the table. Located on the perimeter of schools and kindergartens, they are accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week providing valuable support for residents.
Local welfare groups have seen a dramatic increase in the demand for food, unable to keep up with requests.
Nicole Carr Executive Officer United Way Glenelg explained that the rising cost of living, energy costs and interest rate hikes are not only impacting the people we would normally be helping but those who are earning enough to just make ends meet.
“These struggling households are forced to make impossible choices each day. Sadly financial security is becoming an unobtainable dream for many”
“Accessing food from the pantry can be a way to get a little support without filling in forms, questions, registering and no judgement,” concluded Ms Carr.
The Little FREE Pantry is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Another 3 pantries will be installed in the Glenelg Shire in the coming months.
- Bundarra Primary School – Edgar Street Portland
- Portland Primary School – Palmer Street Portland
- Portland South Primary School – Moorhouse Street Portland
- Elsa MacLeod Kindergarten – Henty Street Portland
- Heywood Consolidated Primary School – Kentbruck Road Heywood
- Casterton Primary School - McPherson Street Casterton