The Sapphire Community Pantry is delivering emergency food and grocery supplies to people who are isolated at home due to COVID and have no other way to access supplies.
Selena Purdom, Manager of the Sapphire Community Pantry, at the Sapphire Community Pantry. Photo: Ellouise Bailey
The need for this service was first raised by Dr Duncan Mackinnon of the Bega Valley medical practice, who has seen many of his patients contract COVID or have to self-isolate without sufficient groceries.
The Pantry works with its own volunteers as well as people from Grace Church and Rotary to provide the service.
Pantry chairwoman Christine Welsh said the service is only for those who have COVID or suddenly isolate themselves due to close contact and have limited means, have no one to buy for them, or are unable to browse online shopping at a large supermarket.
“We will not replace the usual online shopping in supermarkets. If people can use this service, they should continue to do so,” she said.
On Tuesday, the emergency department was used for the first time by a mother and son who were both positive for COVID and in isolation.
The woman was paid a casual wage, could not afford the minimum of online shopping for delivery, and regularly used a pantry. So she contacted the organization to get food for her family.
Ms Welsh said they had received an emergency basket containing basic items such as recovered fruit and vegetables, bread, frozen meat, meals and paracetamol.
“We have a limited number of free food bank emergency baskets with enough food for four people for a week. ”
The pantry can also be a basket for the cost of the salvage price of the wanted items.
There are a limited number of essentials such as canned soup, pasta, rice, sauces, cereals, noodles, canned tomatoes, corn, vegetables, tuna, at salvage prices. costs.
Also available are sanitary products, toilet paper, soap, free recovered meat, free recovered fruits and vegetables, free recovered bread.
Once the order has been taken and paid by bank transfer or credit card, it will be made to the Pantry and then delivered, without contact, by a volunteer.
“I want to be clear here that we are not replacing the Woolies here, if you can afford to do a home store at Woolies, do it.
“We are doing it for people who are isolated, who have no one who can go to a supermarket and buy food for them, or who are very strapped for money and cannot afford to do so.”
To use this service, contact Christine Welsh on 0438 407 364 who can explain the process in more detail or send an email to [email protected]
Due to supply chain issues across the country, they are also struggling to get products picked up from major supermarkets and cut down on non-perishable items from the food bank.
Sapphire Community Pantry needs donations of goods and products to address the supply chain issues plaguing supermarkets across the country. Photo: Ellouise Bailey
If you want to help, the pantry is in desperate need of garden produce donated in the form of fresh fruits and vegetables.
If not, please check your kitchen cabinets for donated goods that are unopened, undamaged and dated, such as canned fruit, cereals, soups, pasta, pet food, canned fish / salmon / tuna, canned dishes and treats.
Food donations can be brought to the Pantry, 2 Peden Street, Bega, Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
