A NEWLY opened food pantry in Somerville is already making a meaningful difference to the lives of hundreds of residents, just one month after opening its doors.
Launched on 7 July, Helping Hands Somerville was created to meet growing community needs amid rising food insecurity and cost-of-living pressures.
It’s operated by a small group of volunteers including its president Anne Raukawa, retired caterer Gail, and retired teacher Deb, who met earlier this year over coffee with an idea of starting a “simple local pantry” offering rescued food and donated items to those in need.
“Little did we know then how much planning and paperwork it took to get our simple idea set up properly before we could open,” Raukawa said.
They are currently helping up to 35 people per day at their pantry, located at the Seniors Activity Hall at U1/21 Worwong Ave, which operates solely on donated food items.
Raukawa said the aim of Helping Hands was to ensure “no one goes hungry, and nutritious food is shared sustainably, respectfully, and without stigma — through the power of food rescue and collective care”.
“In our first week of operation, we supported about 30 families and rescued about 30 crates of meat/produce and 15 crates of bread and bakery products,” she said.
“Into our third week and we are now supporting 30 plus families per day; about 100 families this week alone. Our food rescue has had to grow exponentially to service this need.”
On 27–28 July, Raukawa said they distributed about 45 crates of meat and produce plus at least 20 crates of bread and bakery products, with a donation of 60 dozen eggs.
“We are so grateful for our regular food donation partners, including Aldi Somerville, SecondBite, Bakers Delight Beach Street and Brumbys Towerhill,” she said.
“Several local community groups, schools and clubs have offered their support and to keep up with demand for non-perishable pantry items we welcome this support and seek even more.
“Unfortunately, the need within the community is high and we are so grateful to be in the position to be able to offer some food support.”
High demand items include all types of pasta, rice, long life milk, sandwich spreads, tinned baked beans, spaghetti, tuna and soups, pet food, long life fruit juice, hygiene products, as well as tea, coffee, Milo, and sugar.
For further information call 0493 463 326 or email helpinghands3912@gmail.com.
Helping Hands is open three days a week to everyone — Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9.30am–2.30pm.
First published in the Western Port News – 6 August 2025
