By Tanya Steele
A boon for food relief in the Knox foothills was officially launched to the public on Friday 20 August in Ferntree Gully Village.
Behind the Hills Op Shop on Alpine Street in Ferntree Gully a free food pantry has been installed for all those who need it.
Drew Nicholls from Foothills Community Care said going forward the community groups are planning for the pantry to be a unifier of the community.
”We hope for it to continue to grow,” he said.
Over morning tea and coffee, the pantry was officially launched with a ribbon cutting and promises to deliver a range of food items, meals and personal care to those in need.
CEO of Foothills Community Care Stephen Barrington said it was a significant day as they celebrated the opening.
“We see here a joint initiative between Hills Community op shop and Foothills Community Care, and it’s an exciting time,” he said.
“So we’re very, very fortunate to be here and to be having a welcome addition to the life of the village.”
The pantry exists as part of an Empowering Communities Grant that was delivered to Foothills Community Care and was a 16-month pilot project which worked with vulnerable residents, police, local traders and local community organisations.
“We received over 200,000 dollars to employ two outreach workers to work in the Ferntree Gully village working with four stakeholders,” said Mr Nicholls.
“The purpose will be for local traders, and the community to donate goods that can be accessible via the pantry,” he said.
Knox Councillor Susan Laukens said food security in a community was an absolute must.
“I’m really proud that this was something that was identified, that was needed in this community, and together, we have come together and we’ve delivered,” she said.
MP Daniela De Martino member for Monbulk and MP Jackson Taylor member for Bayswater also attended.
“What a beautiful collaboration between the two to create this exceptional community entry,” said Ms De Martino.
Manager Jeni McLean from the Hills Op Shop said over the years Foothills and Hills op shop have joined forces on small projects before.
“We just started connecting and talking to say, let’s do this, Foothills brought the grant and we brought the venue,” she said.
“We were also able to connect with the different shop owners to resource and help us support the pantry.”
“This is going to make a huge difference to the lives of many to know that they can come by, get what they need with dignity, without feeling any kind of stigma attached at all,” she said.
“There’s been a lot of behind scenes work happening, and a lot of scratching of heads and hard work.”
The pantry is now open to the any who need it whenever the Hills Op Shop is open.
“Our mission for this pantry is to take what you need, leave what you can,” said Mr Nicholls.
