Groceries Help Make Ends Meet

EVERY week local charities are seeing more people in our community struggling to afford the basics and they are banding together to help bridge the gap.

Henry Higgins, Joy Ashford, Dong Nelson, Stanley Nelson and Reagan Murphy.

The Seventh Day Adventist Church has established a food pantry and the Scone Neighbourhood Resource Centre and Upper Hunter Homeless Service are organising Share the Dignity bags.

The Seventh Day Adventist Church has recently purchased a house at 164 Susan Street and each Thursday from 1pm until 3pm will run a food pantry in the garage.

People who register pay $8 to receive a bag which contains approximately $60 worth of groceries and people can choose fresh vegetables and bread.

The Church has a Food Bank which is given donations from major retailers like Coles and Woolworths, which is distributed by the Sydney warehouse to food pantries throughout the state.

Stanley Nelson, who is organising the local food bank said they are here to help the community.

“If the community support it, it will stay; we have purchased the house here and if there is enough interest the church may establish here,” said Mr Stanley.

“We wont turn anyone away but it is more for those people who struggle to buy weekly groceries,” he said.

“We welcome any donations to help and also volunteers are always needed to run it, just come and put your name down,” Stanely Nelson said.

Lee Watts and Marina Lee Warner working together to help the community

The Scone Neighbourhood Resource Centre also has a pantry of non-perishable groceries on hand for local people and they are open each weekday.

“We are are always looking for donations of non-perishable items and we are seeing more people need a helping hand each week,” said Mrs Watts.

“Every family has to make decisions but not every family has to make a decision as to whether they can eat or buy sanitary items and that is the reality for many local families, so together with Upper Hunter Homeless Services we are distributing Share the Dignity bags” she said.

“Share the Dignity is a Sydney based organisation that asks Australians to donate a handbag they don’t use, fill it with thoughtful items, a note if they wanted, toiletries, sanitary items and anything practical and appropriate.

“The support and interest has been overwhelming and heartwarming.

“The aim was that no women should suffer the indignity of choosing between eating and buying basic sanitary items”, she said.

The bags were donated to the Upper Hunter Homeless Service who have in turn donated them to the Scone Neighbourhood Centre, which will be distributed at the annual BBQ at 130 Liverpool Street, Scone on Thursday May 12 between 11am and 1pm.

Marina Lee Warner case worker with Upper Hunter Homeless Support said, “case workers will be at the Pharmasave Chemist between 1:00pm -3:00pm on May 12 to raise awareness of domestic violence and provide information on services.”

“The community are invited to drop off any nonperishable donations if able to support those experiencing hard times.”

Upper Hunter Homeless Support provide outreach services to Scone on a weekly basis.

Individuals and families requiring food assistance can phone St Vincent De Paul 8230 3028 and volunteers will be able to see you on Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoon.