Coles praised for helping small town through cost of living crisis
Coles has been praised for the innovative way they are helping a small Aussie town to combat the ongoing cost of living crisis.
The supermarket giant has started contributing to a community pantry in the coastal town of Ulladulla, 200km south of Sydney, which gives struggling locals basic grocery staples.
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, while also give back to their community as the cost of living continues to take hold.
The motto "take what you need, give what you can" is plastered along the top of the pantry, set up outside the local scout hall, designed for people to help themselves to food to feed their families.
Most of the food in the community cupboard has been donated by the local Coles supermarket, which provides a range of baked items, meats and fresh produce daily.
Woolworths has also contributed items to the pantry every week, while also being topped up by generous locals.
One local woman named Michelle has been using the service for almost three months.
Before the pantry was established, Michelle was only able to afford to 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".
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