15 December 2023
Community Pantry Providing Christmas Relief
The Australian Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Townsville Food Pantry have saved Christmas for many on their last open day for the year.
Herbert MP Phillip Thompson joined volunteers this morning as hundreds lined up to collect their final parcel for the festive season.
ADRA Director Chris Kirkwood said the ever-increasing cost of living had led to the pantry being inundated with requests for food parcels.
“Our numbers have increased enormously this year,” he said.
“It wasn’t so long ago it was about 170 (people) coming in. Now it’s about 300 to 350 coming in on a weekly basis.
“It’s tough out there, it’s really tough times at the moment and people are grateful for any help that they can get.”
Phillip Thompson volunteered at the final open day and spoke with many community members who are struggling financially.
“When you come down here, you get a sense of how dire it really is,” he said.
“To hear families saying, ‘I can’t have Christmas,’ and all of the things that people take for granted, it becomes very real.
“It absolutely kicks me in the guts to know there are families out there that can’t have Christmas, when this should be a time of celebration and love.”
Mr Thompson reiterated his advocacy for cost-of-living relief from the Albanese Labor Government, as community members from all walks of life continue to feel the pinch.
“We as a community shouldn’t accept that and I certainly don’t.”
ENDS
