Food Share is a collaboration between OCA and the Oatlands Community Hub, contributing to individual and community health and wellbeing
The Food Share program organises social lunches and events,
and manages a free food pantry for those in the community needing food security support
Tuesday Friendship Lunches
11 am to 1 pm
Look for the orange flag out front of our building
These weekly lunches are open to all members of the community, bringing together people who are looking for social interaction as well as a nutritious lunch, regardless of their financial situation. Walk-ins are welcome.
Participants are encouraged to make a donation if they are able to, defraying the cost of the food and room hire. These lunches are planned to be healthy and to cater for diverse dietary needs. Lunches are prepared by volunteers in the Community Centre kitchen according to food preparation guidelines, usually sandwiches and soup, plus desert.
The Tuesday lunches are as much about building relationships, and learning, as they are about food. We organise workshops at the request of the participants, including building awareness about IT and online safety. Participants have expressed appreciation for the sense of belonging and support fostered through our social events.
Tuesday Social Lunches are held in our main conference room, which we remodelled last year to make a more welcoming and easy-to-use space.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please fill out the form below,
or contact the organiser, Jenny Sims, on 0408 757 301 or email jsims5779@gmail.com
The Oatlands Free Pantry provides fresh food and staples in a self-serve area of the Community Centre’s foyer
Hours: 10 am to 4 pm every day
Started in 2023 with funding from the Tasmanian Department of Premier and Cabinet, the Oatlands Free Pantry marks a dramatic change in the way food relief is delivered to the community. We have moved away from the Hobart City Mission’s Oatlands Community Hub formal emergency relief delivery model, as it had become clear that we still weren’t reaching all the vulnerable community members in need of food assistance.
Feedback from the community revealed that the stigma around arranging and attending ER appointments were holding some of this demographic back. They would rather struggle to put food on the table than to be judged for having to ask for help. While we were struggling to reach everyone, a local group started up with the goal of finding somewhere to put a ‘food pantry’. This community request informed our decision to find a better format to provide food relief.
We utilise grant funding to purchase non-perishable food items. Fresh produce that can be found in the fridge either comes from donations or via the Mill Patch Garden. Volunteers work in the garden to grow fresh vegetables especially to supply the Pantry. We believe it is paramount that the community has access to healthy food.
Access to the Pantry is intended for residents of the Southern Midlands municipality only. The community are asked to be mindful of others accessing food relief and only take a small number of items.
