About Us
Our Beginnings
The Sapphire Community Pantry began with a simple idea: making affordable food accessible to people in need.
After moving to the Bega in 2013, founders Christine Welsh and Peter Buggy started rescuing surplus food from local businesses and distributing it to community organisations. As demand grew, they recognised the need for a permanent low-cost pantry offering everyday essentials at affordable prices.
With support from local groups, volunteers, and the wider community, the Pantry opened in 2017 and quickly became an important community resource. In 2018, it moved to its current home at 2 Peden Street, Bega, where it continues to support and nourish the community today.
Our Team
We have a team of volunteers and paid staff doing big things.
We have three part-time paid staff members – who work Monday at Ricky’s place and Tuesdays through to Fridays at the Community Pantry and on our other projects like the Mobile Pantry.
Our Volunteers
Our volunteers come from all walks of life and we can never get enough of them! During crisis times, like the 2019-2020 bushfires and COVID-19 it has been important to stick together as a community, and this is when our volunteers really step up. We love them and couldn’t do what we do without them.
If you would like to lend a hand, please get in touch.
For general inquiries and questions we suggest you visit our CONTACT US page and follow the prompts. Or drop into the Pantry and have a chat!
