The Park Towers Community Pantry (aka The Pantry) is a public housing food and other goods relief program, established and run by residents for residents of Park Towers, South Melbourne, and surrounding public housing estates.
In 2020, the building community raised the issue of increasing food insecurity impacting their community. Troy, a resident of the building, also noticed that many residents were not accessing existing food relief supports in the area, due to a range of barriers, such as relating to mobility, mental health, and substance use, as well as cultural and language barriers. He noted these challenges were exacerbated by the impacts of COVID, which saw a decline in residents’ connection to each other and broader community and services. Troy believed a resident-run food-relief program in their own building would have a big positive impact on their community, and so with popular support from the community, the Pantry idea was born!
Since opening its doors in March 2022, the Pantry set out to address a gap in residents accessingfood and other supplies in a community-based, peer-run manner, that recognised and addressed these barriers. The program, which is now a registered charity, has since grown to incorporate;
A bricks and mortar community pantry (located on the ground floor of the Park Towers building), offering residents from Park Towers and surrounding social housing estates access to household staple items and non-perishables
A fresh produce delivery service to six four estates (including Park Towers, Emerald Hill, Vic Avenue, Florence Estate and Horace Petty Estate, Inkerman Street Estate)
Regular community market days
A cardboard and mixed recycling collection program, run via the Pantry at Park Towers
About.
The Opportunity.
TThe Pantry is now looking to work with local trusted organisations, to secure the future of the program.
If you are an organisation interested in helping secure the future of the Community Panty (or know of a funding opportunity that could assist), please reach out via the Contact Form at the bottom of the page.
Impact.
Since its foundation the impact of the Pantry s has been immense. Many residents now rely on the program to support their ongoing nutritional, physical and mental health.
By the numbers:
The onsite Pantry program provides food to over 2400 households of Park Towers, 40 households residents in of Emerald Hill Court, supporting between 450-600 residents per fortnight.
The Fresh Produce service provides support fresh produce to up to 3000 people per week across six estates. The program estimates up to half of the population of each estate access this service. (pictured a fresh food delivery)
The cardboard and waste collection programs diverts over 3,100 L of recycling per week.
Social impact:
Park Towers residents have reported a greater connection with each other as well as an improved sense of community and safety (including reduced incidents of theft and violence).
Local social services have reported greater health outcomes for beneficiaries of the program,particularly those reporting challenges accessing to healthy food.
The Community Pantry has provided the opportunity for residents, particularly those experiencing unemployment, to volunteer and build their skills.
Milestones.
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. Our key milestones include;
2018
A three-year pilot funded by DFFH (formerly Department of Health and Human Services) in partnership with a Better Health Network (BHN, formerly Star Health) initiated the South Melbourne Community Capacity Building Initiative (SMCCBI).
2019
The Community Advisory Group was established to support the delivery of the SMCCBI (including Community Pantry founder, Troy).
2021
Kick-off of the Community Pantry concept as part of the SMCCBI project, with first Foodbank shipment and the organisation of single and family packs of long-life and non-perishable food items (pictured Troy and Lizzy at Foodbank Victoria).
2022
Launch of the Community Pantry at Park Towers supporting 30 households.
Delivery of shelving units through a short-term funding partnership with Uniting Vic. Tas, allowed capacity of the Community Pantry to significantly grow, including the establishment of a managed ‘shop-style’ model rather than pre-packed bags, and a permanent location in Park Towers.
The Community Pantry began running a weekly fresh fruit and vegetable collection for Park Towers residents.
2023
The Community Pantry commenced its first outreach to other nearby public housing communities, running a weekly fruit and vegetable delivery service.
2024:
The Community Panty continues to grow and runs weekly fruit and vegetable collections for Park Towers and 6 other estates.
The Community Pantry has now located the Park Towers pantry so that it’s more accessible to other estates.
Funding for the Pantry ceased in June 2024
While now inviting ongoing funding, the Pantry is now supporting six an additional two public housing estates and has the capability to expand this support even further.
“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
Board Members.
Board Members include:
Troy Matthews
Founder of the Community Pantry and resident of Park Towers
Lizzy Harding
Community Development Social Worker (Secretary)
Bill Condon
Finance professional for more than 50 years (including CFO and Company Director’ roles)
Brian Tee
Former elected member of the Victorian Parliament, executive level pulic servant, and consultant.
James Gullan
Experienced public servant specialising in advocacy and grants and former small business owner
Liz Roadley
Experienced consultant, Director and small business owner
Partners.
Since its establishment, the Community Pantry has worked with several local and partners to support those in need. This includes It’s the Little Things, Foodbank Victoria, The Men’s Shed, Pinchapoo, Port Phillip Community Group, Uniting, The Good Vibes, Food fuelled, Secondbite and Coles.
The Community Pantry continues a close affiliation with many of these organisations.
In Media.
Park Towers Community Pantry | Learn More (foodbank.org.au)
Park Towers residents awarded for community spirit | Homes Victoria
PARK TOWERS COMMUNITY PANTRY 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
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
Contact
Feel free to contact us with any enquiries about the program.
Email
General Enquiries: parktowerscommunitypantry@gmail.com
Grants and Partnership Opportunities: Troy Matthews 0406663757
Check out our instagram