The Pantry Appeal is held every winter seeking donations of non-perishable food and essential living items. Items collected throughout the appeal are distributed to families and individuals in the community who are in need of emergency assistance.

Thanks to the community’s generosity, in 2017 Anglicare were able to collect 42,014 food items and more than $9,300 in donations to directly help those in need.

The first door knock will take place during the week starting on March 12, when hundreds of KAC members will take to the streets asking their neighbours to join the campaign.

“We are excited about this opportunity to help those in need in our community,” senior minister Reverend Steve Stanis said. 

“We know Kiama residents have big hearts so we have a big trailer ready to transport donated pantry items.”

Residents are being asked to add a few more items to their grocery trolley over the next few weeks when KAC members will return to collect the items between March 26-29, just before Easter.

“We are grateful to the Kiama community and to the members of KAC for this initiative,” Anglicare CEO Grant Millard said.

“Last year our Emergency Relief Centres in Greater Sydney and the Illawarra had more than 18,000 visits from people in desperate need.

“The generous donation and collection of food by the Kiama community is welcomed and needed.”

Anglicare is a Christian not-for-profit agency people at all stages of life across the Illawarra region.

The Pantry Appeal is just one of the activities planned as part of a wider campaign through the Illawarra, “Jesus is…”. For more details on events planned go to www.jesus-is.org.au and www.kiamaanglican.org.au.

Pantry donations can also be left at the Church Office, 2 Terralong Street during business hours. For any other information, please phone 02 4232 2066.