A local food pantry provider for needy and disadvantaged people is now able to offer more support services now that it has found a permanent home.
Corryong FoodShare Services began operations in 1995 as Corryong Food Pantry and was located at various sites before undergoing a name change and relocating to the former Scout Hall in Donaldson Street in 2005.
Following reformation of the 1st Corryong Scout Group in 2019 FoodShare was on the hunt for a new home once again.
After a number of stebacks including additional site works and bad weather, it relocated to the former Girl Guides’ block in Harris Street and eventually installed a transportable building on the property.
The ‘Commander’ building was donated by the community of Villers-Bretonneux in France after the 2019-20 Black Summer Bushfires. The project also received funding from the Rotary Club of Albury ($50,000) and the Australian government’s Stronger Communities Program ($15,000) to fit it out the premises including upgrading of the existing equipment and installation of larger commercial refrigeration and freezer units (some donated) and stainless steel kitchen equipment and stock shelving. Other support was provided by Border Trust and the Towong Shire Council and Indigo Power.
The new FoodShare premises now feature six cold storage food appliances, offices and amenities including a kitchen and meal area for volunteers.
FoodShare has been fully operating from the new building for two weeks and has a complement of around 10 volunteers.
“We are receiving deliveries every fortnight to provide pantry services for our 130 clients,” said FoodShare co-ordinator, Rev Carol Allen.
“Since the 2019-20 bushfires and pandemic lockdowns our client numbers have increased by 350 per cent and remained around those levels following the increases in the cost of living in recent times” she said.
“The new premises allow us to stock more supplies to cope with this extra demand.”
More office space also allows the premises to be shared by other agencies including financial counselling services from Anglicare and Upper Murray Family Care and housing and other assistance from the Salvos.
The community is being invited to celebrate the official opening of the new premises on Friday November 24th at 60-62 Harris Street Corryong at 10.30am. RSVP by November 14th for catering purposes to 0427 762 051 or email aojca2@ corryong.net.
This article appeared in the Corryong Courier, 9 November 2023.
