The Story of the Pantry
St Pete’s Pantry is a not-for-profit charity based in Wynnum, operating out of St Peter’s Parish Hall at 86 Bride Street on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9am to 11am.
Contact : Marilyne Jacob Coordinator on 0421 677 552
Circumstances to Inception
The Pantry was established in September 2020 when St Peter’s parishioners felt there was a need to establish a community outreach program.
The Pantry commenced by serving those who were homeless and hungry, folk that come to the Parish Hall on a Monday for a breakfast of toast cereal with tea or coffee. The Monday Brekky Club had its beginnings, it now operates every Monday morning from 8.30am to 10.00am, serving a breakfast to those in need.
From serving breakfast on a Monday, It became obvious there was a need to provide more than just breakfast to those who were vulnerable in the community. In April 2020 the first bags of food were given to people who were coming to the Monday Brekky Club, but soon as more people with a need came forward asking for help with food, the volume of hamper distribution increased. The food for hampers in the first instance was donated by the St Peters Anglican Church parishioners, who generously dropped off food for distrabution on a weekly basis.
From Meeting Room to Pantry
In May 2020 Councillor Peter Cummings graciously gave a donation to allow the purchase of a small chest freezer for Pantry use, and in July 2020 a parishioner’s Franchise company donated a large chest freezer to the pantry.
May 7th 2021 St Pete’s Pantry became an official registered charity by the ACNC. Thus receiving Deductible Gift Recipient status,which allows cash donations to be tax deductible.
LIST OF SERVICES
Provide free Food hampers to Homeless, Singles, Couples and Families, staple cupboard items as well as meat and freezer products
Provide personal hygiene and household cleaning products
Provide Local Services information
Emergency Services
The Pantry provides supplementory emergency relief to those in need, relief in the form of free food hampers, given to the most vulnerable in the Bayside community. The bags contain staple pantry items as well as frozen meat products, cakes and breads. The food is donated by, community members, groups/organisations, as well as local businesses. Food donations are topped up with purchases by ‘The Pantry’ from local suppliers.
Establishment to Today
From serving those on a Monday, It became obvious there was a need to provide regular food, to the many more in the community who were vulnerable. In April 2020 bags of food were given to the people who came to the Monday Brekky Club, but soon after more vulnerable folk came, in need food assistence. The food initially was donated by the church parishioners. Today ‘The Pantry’ is kept busy three mornings a week giving out free food hampers to all in need who come forward.