Between October and December 2025,
- The Community Pantry has supported a total of 1,474 individuals.
- The Community Pantry supported an average of 39 households each week.
- 5,042 food items were distributed with a total estimated value of over $15,000.
- This is in addition to approximately 3.6 tonnes of fresh produce and bread received through our partnership with Geelong Foodshare
One of our regular clients says this:
“I am very grateful for all the Pantry team does. It has helped me with my budget each week. But also coming here and seeing people has helped with my depression”
Christmas 2025
Through our partnership with Christmas Box and Kardinia Community Services, we received 50 Christmas Boxes, which we were able to distribute to families in need. We also received a donation of the excess long-life food items packed in the boxes, which we will be able to distribute through the year in the Pantry.
We would like to take this opportunity to express our heartfelt thanks to Christmas Box and Karen Evans at Kardinia Community Services for their support of the Community Pantry.
In addition to Christmas boxes, through in kind and financial donations from Gateway Church Geelong, we were able to distribute parcels with specific Christmas treats to the 40 households that attended our last Pantry opening before the Christmas break.
We would like to express our sincerest thanks to Vanessa Jackson for the role she has fulfilled in the last 12 months as our Community Engagement/Fundraising Officer.
Vanessa has been a pivotal part of Gateway Stronger Communities: strengthening our operations, optimising our Community Connection space, organising training for volunteers, developing connections with partner organisations and exploring potential grant and fundraising opportunities.
Though Vanessa will no longer be in this employed role, she is keen to continue as a volunteer.
We thank you and wish you all the best, Vanessa, in all that you do in this coming year!
Capacity Building and Connections
Through our partnership with Barwon Health Mental Health & Wellbeing Local (The Local), we have initiated further training for our volunteers. Through sessions around personal wellbeing practices and sharing well from lived experience, we hope to build capacity and longevity in our volunteers. We are also facilitating a mental health first aid course, through The Local, in the first quarter of 2026.
This partnership with The Local has also provided connections to other Barwon Health and City of Greater Geelong services that will be able to provide referral options and additional avenues for support to our clients.
Upcoming Fundraisers
In this first quarter of 2026, we are holding a couple of fundraising events;
10th January 2026 – Sausage Sizzle at Bunnings Leopold
21st February 2026 – Highway Collection in Central Geelong
The Bunnings Leopold Sausage Sizzle was a great success with money raised to support the Pantry operations.
In addition to raising revenue, we hope to create increased awareness of Gateway Stronger Communities Initiative within the Geelong community.
Once again, a heartfelt thanks to you! Thank you for your continued support of Gateway Stronger Communities Initiative. Your partnership is having a significant, positive and meaningful impact in our community.