New Somerville Pantry Opens Its Doors to Locals in Need

A new food pantry has officially opened in Somerville, offering much-needed support for residents doing it tough. Helping Hands Somerville, located in the old Somerville seniors hall next to Somerville Community House, opened its doors on Monday, 7 July.

Helping Hands Somerville: Locals Lending a Hand

The initiative is the work of locals Anne, Gail and Deb – a retired nurse, caterer and teacher respectively – who saw first-hand the growing need for food relief in the area after volunteering at another nearby pantry. Over coffee earlier this year, the trio began planning what they thought would be a simple venture. However, they soon discovered the paperwork and processes required to launch a community service were anything but straightforward.

During a visit on 9 July, STPL News was shown through the new space by Gail and Anne, who have thoughtfully set up the pantry to provide a welcoming and professional environment. Gail explained their shared inspiration:

“We were working at another local pantry and were surprised by just how many people from Somerville needed help. Before Helping Hands, there was nowhere here for people to go for food or groceries — they had to travel to Hastings, Baxter or even further.”

A Welcoming Space With No Judgment

At Helping Hands Somerville, the philosophy is simple: no names, no judgment, no shame. If you need assistance, you just turn up. The only restriction in place is a limit of two meat items per person.

Located at the old Somerville Seniors Activity Centre, the pantry stocks a wide range of essentials, from fresh and frozen produce to bread and pantry staples. A significant portion of the frozen meals are provided by Aldi Somerville, with other regular donations coming from SecondBite, Bakers Delight Beach Street, and Coolibah Herbs. The Somerville Tyabb Rotary Club has also played a key role in supporting the new venture.

Gail, Anne and Deb are quick to point out that none of this would have been possible without the encouragement and practical help of people like Aled Roberts, David Livingstone, Kim Fitcher, and the Somerville Community House Committee.

“We probably would have given up without their support and wisdom,” Gail admitted.

Stay Updated and Get Involved

Community backing continues to grow, with local schools, clubs and other groups already offering support. The team encourages residents to like and follow Helping Hands Somerville on Facebook for updates on how to help or access the service.