The seeds of our food relief program were planted in 2017 when we dedicated the 4th Sunday of the month to a community meal. Later that year a local artisan bakery reached out for help to reduce their food waste, and we began opening twice a week for a cuppa and chat and free loaf of bread. Once the pandemic hit, our operation expanded to include pre-cooked meals, dairy, dry goods, fresh fruit and vegetables, and now supply from various local bakeries. We open three days per week for food relief and have around 200-250 visits per week and can only do this with the generosity of volunteers from the community. The addition of a community pantry outside on the Smith St side of the church has enabled people to access food 24/7 and also gives our local businesses and households a place to donate food, a win for both food relief and food waste.
In August 2021 we launched a small social enterprise café, Think Local Community Café, with the desire to fund midweek community meals with the potential to bring other support services onboard. The café has also worked with a local neighbourhood house to provide placements for their work-readiness hospitality program for neurodiverse people and have had a number of work experience students.
Food Relief
Monday & Wednesday (2:30pm -5pm), Fridays (10am-12:30pm)
Smith St Community Pantry
Open 24/7 – Take what you need, give what you can.
Think Local Community Café
Monday – Friday 6am – 1pm