Community Food Pantry

The Bannockburn Community Food Pantry is a community initiative and is proudly supported through funding from Geelong Community Foundation.

The Bannockburn Community Food Pantry is launching at YMCA Bannockburn to provide welcoming, judgment-free food support for the local community. Register your interest to volunteer today.

Bannockburn Community Food Pantry-Food support with dignity, connection and community at heart.

The Bannockburn Community Food Pantry is a new local food support initiative created to make it easier for people in Bannockburn and the surrounding Golden Plains community to access practical help in a welcoming, familiar and safe space.

Launching in early July 2026, the pantry will operate from

YMCA Bannockburn,

132 Milton Street, Bannockburn,

on Thursdays- 11.00am-2.00pm

Located inside a much-loved community recreation centre, the pantry is designed to feel approachable, inclusive and easy to access. People can come in and out comfortably.

Because the truth is, we all need a hand sometimes.

Whether someone is navigating a tough week, supporting a family, helping a neighbour, or simply looking for a little extra food support, the Bannockburn Community Food Pantry is here for everyone.

The community food pantry is open to everyone!

Volunteer with the Bannockburn Community Food Pantry

Are you looking to give back locally and be part of something genuinely meaningful?

We are now inviting people to register their interest to volunteer with the Bannockburn Community Food Pantry.

Volunteers will help support the pantry during operational hours, creating a warm, respectful and non-judgmental experience for everyone who walks through the door.

You do not need previous experience. What matters most is kindness, reliability and a willingness to help others feel welcome.

As a pantry volunteer, you may help with:

Welcoming community members
Supporting pantry setup and pack-down
Organising food items
Assisting with fresh produce, frozen items and pantry staples
Helping create a calm, friendly and inclusive environment

Volunteers will be supported by a coordinator, and the Y will provide everything you need to get started, including:

Full induction and training
Working with Children Check
National Police Record Check
First Aid Training
Ongoing support and guidance

Be part of something good!

The Bannockburn Community Pantry is about more than food.

It is about dignity
It is about kindness
It is about creating a place where people feel safe, respected and supported

By volunteering, you can help build a pantry that reflects the very best of our community: generous, inclusive and ready to lend a hand.

Donations welcome!

Thank you for your support!

What will the Bannockburn Community Food Pantry will provide?

The pantry will offer a range of food items and practical support for local community members, including:

Fresh produce
Non-perishable pantry staples
Frozen and freezable food items
A friendly, respectful and supportive environment

Each week the stock could be different to the previous week, it entirely depends on the stock delivery.

Our goal is simple: To provide food support in Bannockburn in a way that protects dignity, encourages connection and helps strengthen community wellbeing.

This project is about community looking after our community.

Why do we need the Bannockburn Community Food Pantry?

In 2024 the Golden Plains Shire Community development team worked with the community to establish a Local Food Network through the feedback from a survey in January 2024. The Golden Plains Local Food Network made up of organisations, producers and partners who were concerned about food security in our region.

The Golden Plains Local Food Network developed an Action plan that addressed 5 key priority areas: Governance, Food Security, Access & Economy, Education & Connection.

We are pleased that the Bannockburn Community Food Pantry will have a significant contribution to addressing the Food Security and Access and Economy Pillar. For more read: https://www.goldenplains.vic.gov.au/community/health-and-wellbeing/golden-plains-local-food-network

“The Victorian Population Health Survey (2023) indicates that Golden Plains Shire is 6.9% of people who experienced food insecurity”.

What is Food Insecurity?

When people lack regular access to enough safe, nutritious food to lead an active, healthy life. It exists on a spectrum from mild uncertainty about obtaining food to severe hunger, where individuals may skip meals or go days without eating due to financial or physical barriers.

The Bannockburn Community Pantry is launching at YMCA Bannockburn to provide welcoming, judgment-free food support for the local community. Register your interest to volunteer today.

What hours will the pantry open?

The Pantry will open on Thursday’s weekly from 11.00am-2.00pm, the team will monitor the community need and feedback and determine if there is suitability to extending the time or days of operation. The operational hours will be dependent on ensuring volunteers are available open the pantry.

How does the pantry work?

The Pantry accesses fresh fruit and vegetable and no perishable foods from are range of suppliers such as Geelong Food Bank and local suppliers on a weekly basis.

Our volunteers check and unpack the goods for display, record the volumes provided to the community for reporting in the social outcomes of the project.

Community members access the pantry, pack, weight and take what is needed to support their needs.

The goods are free of charge and it is open to anyone in the community.

The Pantry operates on a first come basis and once stock is taken we wait to the following week for a new supply.

How can I get involved?

There are many ways to get involved in this project:

Local Producers- may wish to contribute excess supply fruit and veg
Volunteers- Set up and unpack food, assist customers packing and weighing food

Can I get a Position Description for Volunteer Role?

The Bannockburn Community Food Pantry is seeking volunteers to support the operational hours of the pantry (approx. 3 hrs per week) and assist with set up and pack up of produce and assist customers with weighing and packing of food. There are two roles, Shift Supervisor and Food Pantry Assistant.

Who are the Parents supporting this project?

Hesse Rural Health Service- Food Security Co-ordination and Project implementation
Geelong and District YMCA Youth Service – Grant Auspice
YMCA Bannockburn – Volunteer recruitment, facility and operational support
Food Pantry Reference Group- Golden Plains Shire, Lions Club of Bannockburn, Momentum Church, Anglican Church, Bannockburn Youth, YMCA, Golden Plains Shire Children Services and Community Development teams.
Golden Plains Local Food Network – Strategy and Action Plan development
Geelong Community Foundation- Project funding partner

Contact details for more information

For more information on the Pantry contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Emergency and Local Food relief options

Golden Plains Shire

Food Pantries & Delivery: Free food deliveries are made directly to local pantries in Linton, Meredith, Rokewood, and Cape Clear.
Bannockburn Relief Carts: A food relief cart is located at the Bannockburn Family Services Centre to support local families in urgent need.
Emergency Relief Packs: A limited supply of emergency food relief packs is available for residents in urgent need. You can request these by contacting the Golden Plains Shire Council.

Voucher Programs

Community Choice Voucher Program: Partnering with the Give Where You Live Foundation, this initiative allows residents experiencing financial hardship to access local food essentials.
- Bannockburn: Redeemable at Shazza's Fruit and Veggies.
- Rokewood: Redeemable at the Rokewood Takeaway.
Health Services: Vouchers can also be accessed through Hesse Rural Health.
Geelong and Bellarine: Access food relief, you can use the City of Greater Geelong Food Access and Support Directory to find a full list of local providers.