Liina Flynn
10 July 2022, 9:15 PM
Discounted food will soon be back on Monday, July 18, when The Good Pantry opens in Lismore.
Located at 51 Wyrallah Rd East Lismore, on the site of the previous food hub, the pantry will allow Lismore locals recovering from the floods to buy dry grocery items at low cost.
The enterprise is the result of a new partnership announced between Lismore Soup Kitchen (The Winsome) and the Catholic Diocese of Lismore.
The 50/50 partnership will operate the pantry for at least the next 12 months, from Monday to Friday between 10am and 3pm.
Ian Phillips from the Lismore Soup Kitchen was enthusiastic about the venture.
“We usually operate from the historic Winsome Hotel in North Lismore," Ian said.
"We’re working hard to restore normal operations on that site, but there are ongoing immediate needs that have to be met.
"The Catholic Diocese of Lismore also has a long term commitment to food security for those in need. I wouldn’t say it was a match made in heaven, but it comes close."
Lismore Soup Kitchen Inc will oversee the project, and is in process of becoming an agency partner of FoodBank NSW.
The Good Pantry will operate on a cost recovery basis, with their priorities being to provide flood relief and assist holders of Health Care Concession cards and other people in need who will be invited to take up membership of The Good Pantry.
The small amounts charged for items will help to cover some of the operational costs of the project, in line with their FoodBank NSW agreement.
Anyone interested in volunteering with The Good Pantry should phone Karen Willott on 0421 747 340.
Tax-deductible donations can be made via http://www.givenow.com.au/winsome