Community Bank Monbulk and District has been working closely with the Open Door Pantry Monbulk, run by Monbulk Care Network since it first opened in early 2020.
Monbulk Care Network is a not for profit community support organisation operating the Monbulk Care Network Op Shop located in the main street.
With all profits going back into the community to support local people in times of need, Monbulk Care Network also provides practical support to schools, people facing financial difficulties and homelessness.
Monbulk Care Network also runs a food service to help people when they are finding it hard to get food for themselves or their families.
When the Covid-19 pandemic first started in early 2020 the team at Monbulk Care Network found they could not open the Op Shop or support the community in the way they once had. This was the starting point for the Monbulk Open Door Pantry.
This grass roots initiative meant local people could visit the pantry and take what they needed, or give what they could to help each other.
Within a short period of time it became clear that the community was supportive of the idea and some changes needed to be made to the church hall to enable this fantastic community initiative to expand.
Community Bank Monbulk & District proudly supported the Open Door Pantry when they opened by providing a grant to enable internal locks to be put on the church hall doors and kitchen area to allow the verandah to remain open 24/7. Powerpoints were also installed to enable a fridge freezer to be kept on the verandah, meaning that chilled goods, fresh vegetables and frozen meals can also be left at the pantry as well as non-perishable foods and essential items.
During the current lockdown, many members of our community are needing more assistance than ever before, and with the current travel restrictions in place Open Door Pantry is finding that there are less donations coming in.
If you are in a position to contribute and would like to drop off any items such as non perishable food donations, baby items, toiletries and pet food and just about anything else grocery wise that you can think of, the Open Door Pantry would be so grateful to receive your donation.
All donations can be delivered directly to the Open Door Pantry who are located at the Open Door Community Church on the corner of Moxham and David Hill Road Monbulk or non perishable donations can be dropped directly into the Community Bank Monbulk & District.
Together we can try and make a difference in our local community by supporting one another.
