WHO ARE OUR DONORS?
Aldi Supermarkets
​​​
We are currently partnered with Aldi Supermarkets located in Ringwood and Croydon. They provide us with their left-over fresh produce and other products which can no longer be sold to the general public. We receive regular donations four days a week and we love working with their team.
The Public
​​​
While we try to source our donations from supermarkets, we can also take donations from you. Purches Free Pantry is strictly a money-free space so donations come in the form of food. Please see below for more information on what can and cannot be donated.
WHAT CAN I DONATE?
Bread
​
We love bread! Provided it is not stale or moldy and is packaged appropriately then we would love to accept your bread donations. Please ensure that bags are tied off properly and that it is not stored against the wire of the pantry (the birds will try to peck holes to get the bread!)
Dry Goods
​​​
Anything you would typically store in your pantry is perfect for ours. If you have something in your pantry you are just never going to eat, we would love to have it. Please avoid broken or open packets. I recommend transferring to clean glass jars. Avoid plastic bags as these split and make a mess. Out of date items are ok, within reason. If it's from way back in 2005, it's probably not something anyone will want to eat!
Fruit and Vegetables
​​​
Fruit and vegetables are a wonderful contribution. Whether it is from your garden or somewhere else, these usually go quick smart. Please ensure nothing heavily bruised or mouldy is placed in the pantry. If it is a hot day, try to store more delicate food on the lefthand side of the shelf to stay in the shade as long as possible.
Non-Food Items
​​​
While we consider food to be our main focus, we do take non-food items too. This includes cleaning products, pet food and toys, books and good quality clothing. Please do not donate anything perished or broken or that is not clean. These take up space, cause mess and will ultimately end up in my rubbish bin. Consider advertising your goods for free on Facebook Marketplace or Buy Nothing Mitcham before donating here.
WHAT NOT TO DONATE?
Refrigerated Goods
​​​
We know it’s tempting to donate those items from your fridge that you’re not going to use, they simply can’t go into the pantry for health and safety reasons. We cannot monitor the contents of the pantry at all times so there is no guarantee that the food you find is fresh. If you do have cold goods to give away, you’re welcome to hand them out to people, but please don’t leave them in the pantry unattended.
Broken/Old Items
​​​
It is lovely to share clothing and other items you no longer fit into or that you’ve fallen out of love with, but please do not donate very old products or broken goods. It only creates more work for our volunteers and is disheartening for those who rely this space. I know it feels good to donate instead of throw out, but this is not always the right thing to do. Please try advertising on Facebook Marketplace or Buy Nothing Mitcham first.
Alcohol
​​​
We have a zero tolerance on alcohol in the pantry. Kids come to use this space every day and we cannot have products in here that could cause harm to underage users. If you’d like to generously share an alcohol donation, please get in touch via our email. We do like to say thank you to our volunteers with any alcohol products we receive, but again, they cannot go in the pantry.
Rotten/Very Expired Food
​​​
We’re not overly fussy about what we receive here, however it must be safe for consumption. While tomatoes with a bruise can be cooked into a lovely sauce, a completely squashed moldy tomato is good for no one. We can take cereal that’s a couple of weeks over the use by date, but if it’s been in nanna’s cupboard since 2003, it might need to go in the compost instead.