A GRANT from Chobani has allowed Southern Peninsula Community Support (SPCS) to upgrade their kitchen and pantry, assisting with the distribution of up to 600 additional free meals a month.
Last year, SPCS was one of the recipients of The Big Difference, Chobani’s community grants program. They received $30,000 to go towards the upgrade.
SPCS helps more than 2000 people and their families each year, with demand for food relief increasing by 52 percent over the past 12 months.
Karen Peters, a volunteer and Emergency Food Relief Coordinator at SPCS, said the organisation has seen a decline in the volume, quality, and variety of produce donated.
“We now rely almost entirely on community donations to help us maintain food support services to those doing it tough,” said Peters.
“The wonderful support from Chobani to upgrade our pantry will enable us to better utilise rescued food by combining it with local fresh food donations to make nutritious single serve meals that we can freeze and give to clients in need.”
Steve Gahan, who has volunteered at SPCS for ten years, said he has noticed the increase in the number of people utilising their fresh food program.
“The Chobani grant has come through for [SPCS], and now they can make stews and soups, and all sorts of things without us tossing a ton of food in the bin, which makes a big difference,” said Gahan.
Gahan said he continues to volunteer with SPCS to help give back to the community and those in need.
“I think most of us who work in the pantry are just happy to help and happy to give and help the people out and it’s just a way of giving back,” said Gahan.
Adisa Hubanic, Social Impact Manager at Chobani, said SPCS received the grant thanks to the knowledge of their community and a clear plan as to how they could support them.
“They proposed a long term solution, which was a kitchen and pantry upgrade, which raised their capacity to meet the rising demand from people experiencing housing insecurity,” said Hubanic.
“And that’s what The Big Difference is all about… supporting lasting change rather than short term relief.”
Hubanic said Chobani noticed access to good food depends not only on the food, but on the systems behind it, such as storage, transport, and distribution.
“We’ve also learned that many of the most impactful responses to food insecurity are really happening at and within the local community, at the grassroots level,” said Hubanic.
“And often what those organisations need is the practical support to strengthen, grow, and test the work that they know can really make a difference.”
She said Chobani is looking for projects that are practical and achievable.
“Building capacity, testing new ideas, scaling proven models, and strengthening their organisational sustainability,” said Hubanic.
“We’re looking for a clear understanding of community needs and having realistic and measurable goals, where the benefits can continue beyond the grant period.”
Applications for this year’s The Big Difference program close on 25 August, with Chobani putting $150,000 towards organisations helping tackle food insecurity.
Victorian not-for-profit and community organisations can apply at chobani.com.au/the-big-difference.
First published in the Mornington News – 11 August 2026
