FOR some people, walking through the doors of a community pantry can be harder than admitting they need help.
But at Molong’s community pantry, there are no questions asked. If someone needs help putting food on the table, they are welcome.
Molong Pantry coordinator Charlotte Van Wyke has been volunteering with the pantry for the past three years and said the service had seen more people coming through its doors as the cost of living continued to rise.
“With the cost of living, the fuel prices and everything that went up, there have been more people coming through our doors every Saturday,” she said.
“Which we are happy for, but which is also sad because more people are struggling.”
The pantry, which has been operating in Molong for around six years, is open to people from Molong, Cudal, Manildra and other surrounding communities.
For $20, shoppers can purchase a basket and fill it with items from the pantry shelves, while fresh fruit, vegetables and bread are available free of charge.
Frozen meat is also available at reduced prices, with many products costing around half what shoppers would pay in supermarkets, while toiletries and other essentials can also be purchased at a lower cost.
The fresh produce and bread are collected from Coles in Orange each Friday and distributed through the pantry rather than going to waste.
For some visitors, Saturday morning is a social outing, with a sitting area where visitors can enjoy a coffee and a slice of cake, and Ms Van Wyke said some regulars came primarily for the conversation.
“Some of the folks, they just come in for the chat,” she said.
“They don’t even come and shop. They just come for the morning tea and have a chat.”
For Ms Van Wyke, one of the most important things the pantry offers is a sense of dignity.
The service is open to anyone who feels they need it, without requiring people to prove their financial circumstances.
“We don’t ask you to show us your Centrelink statement, so that we can see if you’re low income or not,” she said.
“The doors are open for anyone that feels like they need it.”
Ms Van Wyke said she understood that some people could feel embarrassed or ashamed about seeking help. Her response to anyone who might be hesitant is simple.
“We’re all just normal people here and we don’t judge,” she said.
“We will just be happy to help you.”
The pantry is supported by donations and funding from community organisations, including Lions Club groups, as well as volunteers from the church and wider community.
Charlotte said the relationships built through the pantry were one of the most rewarding parts of the work.
Regular visitors are often greeted by name, with volunteers remembering stories from their lives and asking how things have gone since their last visit.
“It’s kind of like being included in the stories of their lives,” she said.
The Molong Pantry is open every Saturday from 9.30am to 11.30am.
Charlotte encouraged anyone who was struggling, regardless of their circumstances, not to be afraid to come through the doors.
“People are more than welcome to come,” she said.