Food pantry in Mosman provides staples for struggling lower north shore residents.

By ANNA USHER

Cost of living pressures and an opportunity to reduce food waste have led to the creation of a community street pantry in Mosman.

Located in Zahel Lane, the free service is the idea of school-teacher Madeline Godsell and partner Matt Giles, who told Mosman Collective there are growing numbers of lower north shore residents struggling to make ends meet.

“People assume that anyone from Mosman or Neutral Bay lives in a mansion, but that is so far from the truth,” Madeline said.

“The majority of homes in this area are flats and semi-detached properties, and many young people in their 20s struggle to pay the rent.”

In Mosman, statistics show that 65.7% of all dwellings are medium and high density, compared to 46% in Greater Sydney. In North Sydney LGA, that number rises to 89.3%.

“There are a lot of Uni students living away from home in this area who are going without meals,” she said.

“Even with a part-time job, once the rent is paid, there is no money for anything else.

“My partner and I are in our mid-20s and have a combined $80,000 HECS debt; we don’t know how we will ever afford a property in any suburb of Sydney.

“And most people in my age group feel the same way.”

Called the “Sharing Shelf”, the pantry opened on Sunday afternoon, with all shelf stock gone within 24 hours.

It is now being stocked daily with staples like rice, flour, pasta sauce, toilet paper, soap and more, plus a whiteboard for either requests or ‘thank you’ messages.

“It just goes to show you that there is a real need for this type of service in our community,” Madeline said.

“Many locals want to help those in need, and this street pantry gives them that ability.”

“The only rule is to take only what you need and give what you can,” she said.

Madeline said Sydney charity AOK Outreach has quickly jumped on board, providing “redirected” food from supermarkets like Woolworths.

“They have been amazing and will hopefully continue to help us with pantry staples rescued from big businesses,” she said.

“Our Sharing Shelf also plays a part in reducing food waste.

“So much surplus food is thrown into garbage bins at the end of the day, mainly fruit, vegetables, bread and bagged salad.

“But we are also receiving perfectly good, unopened tinned food that hasn’t been sold because of a dent in the can.”

If you would like to know more about Mosman’s Street Shelf or how to donate, please get in touch with Madeline via Instagram @thesharingshelf_