Shop a popular stop
Anglicare’s new pop-up shop at the Marlin Coast Neighbourhood Centre is gaining traction. The store runs from 9.30am-2.30pm on Mondays and opened three weeks ago.
NORTHSIDE residents in need won’t need to travel, with Anglicare’s new pop-up shop at the Marlin Coast Neighbourhood Centre gaining traction over the past month.
The store runs from 9.30am-2.30pm on Mondays and opened three weeks ago.
Volunteer Denise Nash said about 20 customers came in yesterday to pick up free bread and buy discounted groceries.
“The people come mainly in the morning,” she said.
“The ladies from the neighbourhood centre thought it would be a good idea and it has been in the pipeline for about a year.
“We sell grocery lines, eggs, bananas, we have sweets, and we give away free bread. Sometimes people might donate vegetables so we give them away as well.”
Refrigerated goods are not available at the Smithfield centre yet.
Ms Nash said most food donations would be sent to the Minnie St store and given away in hampers.
Last month Anglicare opened a shop for Gordonvale residents struggling with grocery bills.
The Helping Hand Community Food Store in All Saints Church Hall opens once a week.
Anglicare volunteer co-ordinator Theresa Roberts said the Gordonvale store opened every Tuesday from 10am-2.30pm and was in response to community need.
As well as cheap staples such as cereals, pasta, rice, soups, jams, tinned fruit and vegetables from Foodbank Queensland, Anglicare provides free bread, cakes, fruit and vegies through the Coles Second Bite program.
In April, The Cairns Post reported that up to 120 people visited Anglicare North Queensland daily.
Demand for fresh produce and emergency hampers has soared since the food relief program began in 2012.
Anglicare co-ordinators are also keen to find more volunteers for its food operations.
The Gordonvale shop is open 10am-2.30pm Tuesday; Cairns is at St John’s Anglican Church, Lake St, 10am-4pm Monday-Friday; Marlin Coast Neighbourhood Centre, 205 Reed Rd, 9.30am-2.30pm Mondays. Email theresa.roberts@anglicare.net to volunteer.