By Jan Macindoe, Community Development Subcommittee Convenor, Bulletin 10 of 2020

A Kitchen Starter Pack sporting Wayne Carveth’s refurbished cast iron frypan. (image: Diane Hutchinson)

Members responded generously to our request, a few months ago, to re-stock our kitchen pack supplies. Some members have taken the opportunity to pass on excess kitchenware and dinnerware, or things that have been replaced by new purchases. Others, who have had to help family or friends move into assisted accommodation, have found it a useful way to make a positive contribution in circumstances that can be stressful. Whatever the situation, your donations have made a difference to people in our community who are setting up a new home, with few resources. Thank you!

As you know, our Kitchen Packs go to women, mainly with young children, leaving Elsie Women’s Refuge and men leaving Rainbow Lodge for independent accommodation. Despite the challenges, those who find self-contained accommodation are the lucky ones. The shortage of affordable accommodation in Sydney means that some people must settle for boarding houses or other shared arrangements, and do not have the chance to set up their own kitchens. For this reason, our Kitchen Packs have moved a little more slowly this year than we anticipated.

Even so, we are still in need of supplies for anticipated demand over the summer. We always need frypans, saucepans and other baking utensils, and crockery and cutlery, glasses and mugs are always welcome. Please feel free to contact me at any time and I can arrange to pick up any items you would like to donate. Also, if you have the opportunity, let friends and family know of the Kitchen Pack project, as we have found that word-of-mouth connections are a valuable source of donations. Many people find themselves hanging on to things they no longer want, simply because they do not want to create unnecessary waste. They are pleased to learn that they can clean out the cupboards, and help others at the same time.

UPDATE (July 2021)

The highly successful Kitchen Pack Project has now been brought to a close. Since the end of 2017, we have supplied 80 packs to clients leaving Elsie Women’s Refuge and Rainbow Lodge for independent living in social or community housing.

The Glebe Society is very grateful for the support of its members and their friends who have provided their used kitchenware that formed the basis of the packs, as well as financial and other volunteer support since the start of the project. Special thanks goes to Diane Hutchinson for her dedicated effort over this time. Her closing report on the project can be read here: https://www.glebesociety.org.au/wp-content/uploads/Kitchen-Pack-Final-Report-June-2021.pdf