Within the first week of initiating a food pantry program, Campbelltown City Baptist Church received more than 9,000 messages from people desperate for the provision of basic groceries, reports ELEANOR COOPER.
With the ever-growing cost of living, food anxiety is increasingly prominent.
Locally, Campbelltown City Baptist Church (CCBC) is currently tackling this very issue.
Every Tuesday, they open their doors for anyone in need to receive support and supplies.
The generous, bubbly team at CCBC work tirelessly to sort through donations and pack groceries to give to people.
One of their most important services is simply being present to provide much needed social interaction and no visitor to CCBC will feel unwelcome or alone.
“For two or three hours, they have somewhere to go,” says team member Ken Allen.
When you visit the CCBC food pantry, people of all ages and cultures, families of all sizes, and some people with more obvious disabilities than others are in the main area.
No one sits alone or hungry.
Since starting in December 2023, the program has grown to serve an average of 130-150 families every week.
“No one is turned away,” says coordinating Pastor Martin Kennedy.
He admits they cannot possibly solve everyone’s food needs, but “we are just trying to give people some relief’’.
Assisting food pantry coordinator, Leah Bennett, pictured above, says that the need for food assistance could double in the next two years.
Which means what CCBC is doing become more and more necessary.
The program currently receives generous donations from the community and some discounts from businesses, but are searching for more avenues for supply.
Plans for expansion include a not-for-profit charity in order to open up more doors for donations, but ultimately to become more sustainable at the size they are now.
“Our heart is to go long-term,” says Mr Kennedy.
CCBC had recently received the green light to cook on-site each week.
“Once a grease trap is installed, we will be able to provide ready meals that are nutritious,” Ms Bennett said.
Eleanor Cooper is studying Communications and Creative Industries at Western Sydney University
