Sapphire Community Pantry

TThe Sapphire Community Pantry is a project set up by the charity Sapphire Community Projects Inc to nourish the community of the Bega Valley and beyond. The Pantry provides food at cost-recovery prices or for free to people suffering food insecurity. The Pantry also rescues good food destined for landfill which may be out of its "best before" date but is still safe to eat.

We offer pantry staples such as pasta, rice, flour, sugar, tea, coffee, long life milk, baked beans/spaghetti, tinned fruit and vegetables, snack foods, cooking oils, spices and herbs, tinned tuna, sauces, chocolates, cake mixes, cleaning products, toilet paper, soap, shampoo, cat food, dog food, cosmetic and skin care items, vitamins, protein shakes, almond milk, Asian food products, fresh fruit and vegetables, and free bread. The Pantry stock changes weekly. You can spend as much or as little as you like, but for comparison - a spend of $10 at the Pantry will get you the equivalent of around $40 worth of groceries.

Local charities such as St Vincent de Paul, the Womens' Resource Centre, Brighter Futures etc purchase vouchers from us for their clients and these vouchers can be used at the Pantry.

We also run a mobile pantry that currently visits Bemboka on the second Wednesday & 4th Sunday of each month. We are working towards expanding this service to other towns.

We are volunteer-run, not affiliated with any church or other group. New volunteers are always welcome.

Eligibility Criteria

Open to all. No requirement to show pension or benefits cards. No restrictions on age or geographic location.