Park Towers Community Pantry
A resident-run initiative dedicated to providing essential food and goods to the residents of Park Towers,
South Melbourne, and surrounding public housing estates.
Programs
Staples
Located on the ground floor of Park Towers, our community pantry is managed by dedicated resident volunteers. We provide residents with fortnightly access to a variety of essential staples such as rice, milk, bread, eggs, canned beans, breakfast cereal, noodles, and nappies. It’s our way of ensuring that no one goes without the basics.
Produce
Every week we deliver donated and rescued fruit and vegetables to public housing communities for households to select from. Thanks to the efforts of our community volunteers at each estate, this program not only reduces food waste but ensures that healthy produce is accessible to all.
Events
We host regular events that bring residents together, with a BBQ, activities for families, and the choice to select from other essential items that we have sourced throughout the year, strengthening community connections.
Partnerships
None of this would be possible without the generous support of our local and specialised food relief partners. We are proud to collaborate with like-minded organisations to ensure food security is within reach for all. A heartfelt thank you to our many partners for helping make this important work possible.
Impact
Our impact continues to grow and evolve.
The onsite Pantry program provides food to over 240 households of Park Towers, 40 households residents in of Emerald Hill Court, supporting between 450-600 residents per fortnight.
Our Produce Program supplies fruit and vegetables to seven estates per week. This program is reaching at least 1000 people each week and growing.
Since its inception Park Towers residents have reported a greater connection with each other as well as an improved sense of community and safety.
This is with the support of 11 community partnerships and the dedication of over 21 community volunteers!
“The community pantry is resident led, providing healthy food for residents and other participating public housing sites. A shout out goes to the wonderful Troy for the magnificent logistics of getting food to his fellow residents”
Nina Taylor, Member for Albert Park
Our Story
The program has grown from a partnership between the resident community and a Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) funded community development project, into a self-managed charity and an essential service, relied upon by many social housing residents.
At the heart of our community-driven initiative is a commitment to combat food insecurity and financial hardship with lasting, meaningful solutions.
Our mission is to provide easy, no-barrier access to essential household items, including high-quality bulk donations, rescued goods, discounted items, and low-cost essentials.
By doing so, we strengthen the resilience and well-being of our community, ensuring that support is available exactly when it’s needed most.
In 2020, the Park Towers resident community recognised the growing challenges of food insecurity, further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Troy Matthews, a Park Towers resident and the visionary behind the Park Towers Community Pantry, saw an opportunity to make a real difference.
His vision was clear: create a resident-run food relief program within their own building, offering a peer-to-peer, no-hassle approach to improve food security. This model would be both respectful and accessible, building stronger community connections.
With the backing of the Community Committee and the South Melbourne Capacity Building Initiative, ‘the Pantry’ was born!
Key Milestones
2020: South Melbourne Community Capacity Building Initiative (SMCCBI), a DFFH-funded project, supports the establishment of the pantry as a community-led initiative.
December 2020: The first food order from Foodbank Victoria is received.
March 2021: The Pantry officially opens its doors to Park Towers residents.
December 2022: Uniting SouthPort provides additional funding to help with critical infrastructure, including the purchase of shelving and fridges.
April 2023: The Produce Program launches at the first estate.
June 2023: Our first Community Market event, supported by Foodbank Victoria’s Farms to Families program, takes place.
October 2023: SMCCBI funding and staff support concludes.
November 2023: Directors are selected to help form the new Park Towers Community Pantry Board.
April 2024: The Park Towers Community Pantry Limited (PTCP) is successfully registered as a charity with DGR status, setting the stage for a sustainable future.
September 2024: PTCP receives a 12-month food-relief grant from Homes Victoria.
April 2025: Six months into the Homes Victoria grant, PTCP has made vital capital purchases, including a new Ute to replace the 20-year-old Holden Commodore used to transport tones of fresh produce, and a small outdoor cool room to ensure the quality and freshness of the items we distribute.
Looking Ahead
We’re committed to sustaining the incredible work that benefits so many communities.
Our goal is to expand our reach and increase our impact, extending support to additional public housing estates.
Our People
Meet the people that help Park Towers Community Pantry operate - our volunteers, board and partners!
Volunteers
We would like to thank every single person who donates their time to Park Towers Community Pantry. It’s because of you that we have grown the way we have. It doesn’t matter if you do 30 hours a week or just one it makes a difference to your community. We build better community spirit better friendships better places to live. Park Towers Community Pantry thanks you for your community spirit.
Park Towers
Chris Kennard
Shilo Matthews
Amber Matthews
Abok Ajak
Beletu Woldemanuel
Kimberley Briggs
Lan Thi Nguyen
Fang Chen
Nebiyat Abananbi
Hibba
Emerald Hill
Marcelle Cavanagh
Tamara Kohn
Tereca Warren
Lawrence Windsor
150 Vic Avenue
Peter Potashnyk
South Yarra SYPTA
Anna Rufatt
Mira Pinhasovich
Tsilia Rozin
Lila Tchornei
Marina Deliousto
Kapitalina Belyaeva
Valentina Volkova
…and others
Volunteer With Us
We are always looking for volunteers to help with operations, including website, admin, food distribution, networking, organising events, inventory….the list goes on.
If you would like to volunteer with us please drop us a line by filling out form on our Contact Us page.
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Troy Matthews (Founder)
Founder of the Community Pantry and resident of Park Towers.
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Brian Tee (Chair)
Former elected member of the Victorian Parliament, executive level public servant, and consultant.
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Lizzy Harding (Secretary)
Experienced community development social worker, and not-for-profit professional.
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Bill Condon (CFO)
Finance professional for more than 50 years (including CFO and Company Director roles).
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James Gullan
Public servant specialising in advocacy and grants and former small business owner.
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Liz Roadley
Experienced consultant, scientist, director, and former small business owner.
Partners
Since its establishment, the Community Pantry has worked with several local partners to support those in need.
This includes It’s the Little Things Community, Foodbank Victoria, The Men’s Shed, Pinchapoo, Port Phillip Community Group, Uniting Vic Tas, The Good Vibes, Food fuelled, SecondBite and Coles.
The Community Pantry continues a close affiliation with many of these organisations.
Media
Park Towers Community Pantry
Learn More
Troy, a resident of Park Towers in South Melbourne, is helping feed up to 500 fellow residents every week.
There are about 1,200 people who call Park...
Learn More
Park Towers residents awarded for community spirit Homes Victoria
Learn More
Donate
If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to support the great work of the Park Towers Community Pantry, click donate! Every dollar donated goes towards supporting the work of the Pantry.
Merch
Park Towers have partnered with Das Automat to release a limited edition range of merchandise to support our organisation.
All profits from each item go directly to supporting the work of the Pantry!
Contact
Feel free to contact us with any enquiries about the program via the form below or emailing.
General Enquiries:
parktowerscommunitypantry@gmail.com
Grants and Partnership Opportunities:
Troy Matthews 0406663757
Check out our instagram