ROCKWOOD – The Rockwood Lions and St. John’s Anglican Church have teamed up to create a new permanent location for the Rockwood Lions’ Community Pantry.
The pantry program was initially launched in July 2023 at Waterside Park. While the park offered a scenic space for the summer, organizers said it was less than ideal during colder months.
In October of 2023, the pantry reached out to the St. John’s Anglican Church for a temporary spot out of the cold.
“We knocked on the door and asked if they would be interested in joining us,” said Rockwood Lion Dawn Raynard.
“Up until a week ago, we’ve been able to use their fellowship hall as a setup and take down program each Wednesday.”
While grateful for the indoor space, Raynard said the constant setup and take down posed a challenge for volunteers and didn’t allow for the storage of food items on site.
However that too was soon remedied after the church offered the pantry a permanent room inside its walls.
“With this new partnership with them we have a permanent space,” said Raynard.
“It’s a room with a door we can close every Wednesday and we can leave our things on the shelves. It’s a game changer for us.”
Raynard told the Advertiser it’s not just volunteers who benefit from a permanent location, but clients as well.
“It allows people to shop more privately” and feel less rushed, said Raynard.
The pantry can be accessed Wednesdays from 3 to 5pm inside the church at 112 Guelph St. in Rockwood.
Those visiting the pantry are invited to “take what they need, no questions asked.”
While food is donated by the community, most of the food available at the pantry is “rescued food” from Rockwood Foodland as well as The Seed in Guelph.
“Not only are people able to come and have access to nutritious food … but also we’re saving this food from going in the garbage,” said Raynard.
“They are all perfectly good, I don’t put anything on the table that I wouldn’t put out for my own family.”
Aside from groceries, the pantry offers free soup and coffee to visitors and clients every week, with a few card games from time to time.
“I like that it’s becoming more of a community hub,” said Raynard.
The pantry is always accepting food donations from the community – fresh frozen and non perishable.
To donate, contact communitypantryproject@gmail.com or show up on a Wednesday and drop off the donation.
The pantry is volunteer run and always happy to welcome new faces.
Those interested in volunteering can contact the pantry at the email above.
