The pantry provides a place where community members can donate or collect essential non-perishable food items, helping individuals and families facing cost-of-living pressures.
Support and involvement from staff and students at Bute Early Learning & Primary School, together with volunteers from the Bute 2000 Onwards Committee, has been central to the project’s development.
Barunga West Mayor Leonie Kerley said the strong local partnership demonstrated the community spirit that exists across the region.
“The support shown by Bute Early Learning & Primary School and the Bute 2000 Onwards Committee has been vital in bringing this project together,” Mayor Kerley said.
“It’s a great example of the community stepping up and working alongside Council to deliver something that will make a real difference locally.”
The initiative follows the success of the Port Broughton Community Pantry, established in July 2024 through collaboration between Council, volunteers and community members to help address food insecurity.
Mayor Kerley said the positive response to the Port Broughton pantry helped inspire the Bute community to introduce its own version.
“The Port Broughton Community Pantry has shown how a simple initiative can help support people when they need it,” she said. “It’s encouraging to see the Bute community take that idea and make it their own.”
Students from Bute Early Learning & Primary School will assist in maintaining the pantry’s cleanliness and stock flow as part of the school’s leadership program, working alongside members of the Bute 2000 Onwards Committee and Council staff.
The pantry will initially be located at the Bute Council Office before moving to the Bute Community Hub once works around the site are completed.
Community members are encouraged to support the initiative by donating non-perishable food items directly into the pantry or dropping them at the Bute Council Office or Bute Early Learning & Primary School.
Mayor Kerley said the pantry relied on the generosity of the community.
“Bute has always been a town where people look out for one another,” she said.
“This pantry builds on that spirit and gives people a simple way to help their neighbours.”