“Of course we don’t want to say no to anyone, ever”, said Anglicare food pantry volunteer, Robin*. “We have limits for a reason, but when you’ve heard a client’s story and understand their situation, it is very hard to have them leave with nothing.”

Our emergency relief volunteers know how important their work is. They stand on the front line of community hunger, connecting with mothers and fathers, full-time carers, renters, fully-employed low-income earners—and all those struggling to make do with living costs that won’t let up.

Food rescue organisation, OzHarvest, estimates that, nationally, 50,000 people are being turned away every month from food relief services struggling to meet demand. And many of these (37 percent in Canberra) are people seeking support for the first time.

But what can be done?

Anglicare has joined the ACTforCommunity campaign, appealing to local government to increase funding to community services, and while we are hopeful this advocacy will strengthen our capacity to provide, winter is coming fast—and our food pantries need help now.

Thankfully, Anglicare’s Pantry Appeal initiative offers a range of ways for individuals and groups to get involved. The most ambitious option is to organise a Pantry Appeal collection at a school, workplace, church, or community organisation. These drives directly provide the essential items that keep our pantry shelves stocked.

Alternatively, volunteers can sign up—either on a one-off or ongoing basis—to help collect, sort, and distribute pantry items. Every hour volunteered makes a tangible difference in the lives of families and individuals struggling to put food on the table.

Finally, financial contributions to our food pantries can be transformative. With limited storage space and high logistical costs, flexible funding allows us to purchase exactly what is needed, when it’s needed—reducing waste, cutting costs, and increasing our impact. 

We would love for you to join us, any way you can. Together we’ll ensure that people in need don’t get turned away this winter.  

Learn more, donate or sign up today, by calling 02 6245 7100 or visiting our Pantry Appeal page.  

*Name changed to protect identities.