By Callum Ludwig
A new communal asset at Launching Place Primary School is looking out for those in need.
A Community Pantry has been set up at the school, with students and families encouraged to donate a little where they can.
Launching Place Primary School Principal Laura Caddy said it’s all patriot of building a community where everyone has each other’s back at the school.
“It started with a conversation between our office manager Audrey and I, we were just talking about how hard families are doing it right now with interest rates and everything getting more expensive,” she said.
“We were just keen to extend a helping hand to the local community and offer an opportunity to share some resources, whether that be spare food that people had hanging around in their pantry at the home or things that we could provide and other people come and access.”
The community pantry isn’t restricted to families at the school, with the wider community encouraged to access the pantry as well.
Ms Caddy said they really wnat to promote acceptance that everyone is doing it tough at the moment.
“It’s completely fine just to come in and grab whatever you want without any judgment, and it might even be swapping goods, you might bought a bit too much of this so donate that but while you are there, you notice something you might need, it all adds up,” she said.
“The kids are a little bit more aware now of the things that are happening close by to them in their community, in Australia and overseas, and I think this generation are really keen to think about ways that they can help others,”
“I know another example at our school, we have had a girl wanting to raise money for horses that have been treated with cruelty and supported them, so I see that in kids a lot, a generous nature.”
Items like long-life milk, cereals, rice dishes, soups and fruit can often be found in the pantry.
Ms Caddy said it’s also an opportunity for students to learn about the importance of charity and giving.
“It shows our students the benefits of supporting each other and thinking bigger than themselves,” she said.
“We just really want you to make sure that our students understand that our school is here to support everyone, and yes, it’s about students and their learning, but it’s also about us as a school helping the local community.”
The pantry is located in a room off from the foyer and can be accessed from 8.30am to 9am on Mondays and 2.30pm to 3.30pm on Fridays.
