In a coastal town 230 kilometres south of Sydney stands a small outdoor cupboard that's filled with basic grocery items including eggs, bread, milk and fresh produce, Yahoo News reports.
"Take what you need, give what you can," is the motto plastered along the top of the wooden structure set up outside the local scout hall, designed for people to help themselves to food to feed their families.
The Little Free Food Pantry in Ulladulla was set up by local woman Coralie Smith and her mother Melissa, who were on a mission to reduce food waste and give back to their community as the cost of living continues to take hold.
Much of the food is donated by the local Coles store, which provides a range of baked items, meats and fresh produce daily. Woolworths also offers grocery items weekly, and it's topped up by generous locals, sometimes several times a day.
Local woman Michelle has been using the service for almost three months. Before then, she'd eat just one meal a day.
"I'm working three jobs because of the high interest rates and the cost of living," she told Yahoo News Australia. "When I collected my first hamper all I could do is cry".
The first time she was offered food she felt extremely "overwhelmed" but "now I'm definitely eating more, and am able to keep up with my mortgage and bills".
Michelle is one of about 1200 people who follow the Little Free Food Pantry Facebook group where the organisers share updates and find people in need of help. At first, the Ulladulla local was hesitant saying "it's only me" and felt "there were lots of families that could need it more". But the organisers insisted, she claims, and so she accepted the help.
FULL STORY
Coles praised for 'amazing' solution to cost of living crisis in Aussie town (Yahoo News)
PHOTO
Little Food Pantry, Ulladalla (Facebook)
