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Community pantry opens doors

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A new Ferntree Gully Village Community Pantry is enabling more people in Knox to access food amid rising costs of living.

This joint initiative of Foothills Community Care and Hills Church Op Shop has been made possible with support from Knox Council. 

Foothills received over $200,000 funding under the Knox Empowering Communities program for a 16-month pilot outreach program to improve experiences of safety and community connection in the Village.

As cost of living pressures are acutely felt in our community, Council is working with local welfare agencies to support our residents to access good quality, nutritious food.

Foothills operations manager Drew Nicholls says the pantry, located at the back of the op shop at 18 Alpine Street, will enable more Knox residents to access basic necessities.

“The pantry provides a safe, welcoming space for individuals to access free food and personal items,” he says. “Our mission is to ease living costs while promoting hospitality, compassion and a non-judgmental atmosphere.

“The pantry's management and stocking will be a collaborative effort between our organisations, with local businesses and individuals encouraged to donate excess items.

“Our goals include reducing food insecurity, fostering community engagement, ensuring sustainable hunger relief and raising awareness about food insecurity. 

“By establishing this pantry, we aim to provide immediate relief to those in need, promote sustainable solutions and strengthen our community. Together, we can create a more resilient and nourished society. Our philosophy is give what you can, take what you need.”

Knox Empowering Communities projects are funded by the Victorian Government’s Empowering Communities initiative as part of the Building Safer Communities Program.

The Ferntree Gully Village Community Pantry, rear 18 Alpine Street, Ferntree Gully, is open Monday–Friday, 10am–4pm and Saturdays, 9.30am-1pm.

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