The community pantry in Packe Street Park was started by the Edgeware Korean Presbyterian Church and the local community garden group.
The two groups joined forces to find a way for surplus food to be used to help people in need in the community.
The pantry is stocked every week or 10 days, but overnight the food is gone.
The park already had a book and plant exchange operating, and one of the co-ordinators Helen Kidd suggested the Packe Street Park and Community Garden volunteers should collaborate with members of the church who had the initial idea of the community food pantry.
“An old fridge was purchased and set up, and it is being well used already. Food items donated and put in the fridge go very quickly, and as it becomes better known, and the community garden yields fresh produce in abundance. We expect it to be very well used,” Ms Kidd said.
Jaehee Kim is the community ministry leader at the church, which has been based in St Albans for 16 years.
Mrs Kim said the idea came about because the church wanted to give to the community and provide a space to share food.
“We noticed the food has been taken very quickly. It confirmed to us that there are needs in the community. We recently have received more donations to the pantry, but we still need more. Through the community pantry we hope to develop community spirit to grow together,” she said.
Ms Kidd said volunteers from both groups have come together for working bees to support each other, and she said it is this kind of collaborative approach which strengthens communities.
“The community around Packe Street Park is very diverse, and we know we have people in that community who need practical support," she said.
"The community pantry also provides an opportunity for people or businesses who have surplus food to donate it, knowing that it will be going where it is needed."
