Words by Ashleigh Howarth
A Clontarf church is asking for the community’s help to restock their food pantry following a sharp rise in the number of people seeking help.
A volunteer from Clontarf Beach Baptist Church says they are in desperate need of more dry and canned food items, as well as fruit and vegetables.
All the donations given to the church are used to make up food hampers for people struggling to make ends meet, as well as being used to prepare meals that are held at the church on Friday nights.
In addition, the church also helps to provide weekly food delivery to local school chaplains for their food programs to help vulnerable children.
The volunteer says more people are reaching out than ever before.
“In the last month or so, the number of people that have come in seeking help has more than doubled,” they say.
“We are finding so many people are in need, and we are providing them with small hampers from the pantry, but that stock is going quite quickly.”
The church does have a number of key food supporters, including OzHarvest, SecondBite, IGA at Clontarf and Nandos at North Lakes, but they fear without extra donations from the community they won’t have enough to feed everyone who walks through the doors.
“We are thankful for our key food suppliers for their support, and the people that drop off donations,” the volunteer says.
“At the moment, we are just making it week to week, so if you are able to donate, that would be a blessing.”
If you can help, drop off your donations to the church office.
The church is located at 145-149 Elizabeth Avenue, Clontarf. Phone them on 3284 7699 to organise a drop off time.
Free community fun day
People young and old are invited to attend the church’s upcoming free Community Fun Day on Sunday, December 18.
The fun day will run from 4-6pm and will be followed by a carols service.
There will be a jumping castle, petting zoo, pony rides, snow cones, fairy floss, popcorn, cookie decorating, face painting, carnival games, little kid zone, Christmas craft and more.
Three course Christmas dinner
The church will also be hosting a Christmas-themed three course meal on Friday, December 23, and are hoping for some extra donations of presents that can be distributed to the young children.
Reservations are needed to attend the community dinner, and must be done by Tuesday, December 20.
Register your attendance at the church information desk.
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