Byron Leeworthy meets two of the driving forces behind the Bangalow Community Pantry.
“On the 22nd of December last year we went up to Foodworks and loaded up the trolley; we had no idea what to do. If you’d have told me where we would be today I don’t know if I would have believed you,” says Bangalow Men’s Shed President David Noakes.
The Bangalow Community Pantry is celebrating its first year of operation, and a lot has happened between now and that inaugural trip to Foodworks. I had the chance to speak to David and Shed member Louise Anderson, who have been running the pantry, to learn more about the work they’ve been doing out in front of the Men’s Shed.
“The idea started about five years ago with Rev. Rosie Wynter,” David says. “We were The well-stocked pantry fills a gap for locals struggling to make ends meet Photos Georgia Fox noticing more people sleeping rough, women in the car with their kids, and we wanted to do something about it.”
It took a while to get things off the ground and to convince the town that this was something people really did need. “One of the key things I learnt very quickly,” says Louise “is that even though we are perceived as a very affluent locality, I knew from previous work that if you open up a kitchen cupboard, they could often be bare.” David expressed it quite plainly, saying “it’s the really simple stuff that we just take for granted. It’s a norm for us but it’s not for a lot of our people”.
Homelessness has been a big topic in the Byron Shire. Adding to that the day-to-day struggles of food insecurity can be too much to bear for many, especially those with dependents to care for. There is a strong link between food security and mental health, as studies by the National Library of Medicine show. On Monday mornings between 7-9am, people can come and pick up Help In Your Area (HIYA) vouchers which can be redeemed at Foodworks. This is a joint effort between the Lions Club, the CWA, and the Pantry. “When we meet on Mondays, we always have a counsellor on hand, to offer other avenues of support when needed,” Louise says. “This has become a de facto community hub, which Bangalow has really been missing.”
Between the Pantry and the vouchers, people have discreet options to reach out for the help they may be needing when the hard rains fall.
Getting the Pantry built wasn’t hard at all though, as businesses were happy to chip in. “We never paid for a penny of the materials, which meant we could put that money straight into the food,” says David. “That’s a credit to our community.”
The local community’s generosity has been silently working behind the scenes. “We did a lot of work bringing resources together and finding sponsors and supporters, and we now have ongoing relationships with local businesses and individuals who help us stock this Pantry and keep it full,” says Louise.
In the future, David and Louise hope to integrate the Orange Sky program into Bangalow, a mobile laundromat and shower service, for which they are currently on the wait list. “We’re not out to change the world, we’re just trying to do the best we can for those who need it,” says David.
And as to whether Bangalow needed this or not? “We’re out there restocking every day. There’s a communications board inside to hear what people specifically need, but most of the time we just get messages of thanks, which is wonderful,” says Louise.
Another interesting fact is that you might be helping fund this program without even realising it. David estimates 85% of the funds raised at the Men’s Shed’s Bangalow market stall go directly back into this area of the club. For those who are interested, other forms of help are always welcomed. “We’d love for people to get involved however they can,” Louise and David agree. “If anyone wants to donate time it won’t go to waste; there’s always jobs to do and a need for more product too!”
Another thing that’s always needed is safety. When people are at their most vulnerable, it was important to consider how to make the experience of using the pantry a safe, dignified one. “The lights and security cameras make this a place people can come whenever they need,” David says. “Some people don’t want to be seen, so it was crucial to allow access at night. Making sure people are able to do that has positively impacted our effectiveness.”
“Bangalow is a hidden oasis,” Louise adds. “It’s a safe place for people to come.”
“Another important thing we supply is dog and cat food. It provides such impactful emotional and physical security.” For some, having a pet can be a barrier to entry for emergency accommodation, as they can’t support the animals. Impassioned, David says “they’ll say ‘I couldn’t live without them’, and that’s not just a throwaway line”.
Louise, equally as passionate, says “there are a lot of services down in Byron, but when you’re in a much more delicate situation, it became obvious to us that we were witnessing a different struggle. We’re not here for people to run down and grab a jar of olives when they run out at home.”
This kind of compassion is the backbone of a strong community. It gives a sense of meaning and belonging to a town. David, who has been working with the Men’s Shed since 2018 says “it keeps me getting out of bed in the morning.”
“If we don’t talk about it, it remains hidden,” says Louise. “To be able to get what you need without filling a form just keeps that dignity.”
“They’re more than numbers,” agrees David. “We’re all about the human head and the heart.”
@bangalow.mensshed