In April 2024, Kiama 10-year-old Indi Whittaker had an idea for a street pantry.

It was a fully formed idea, with drawing and signage and purpose, and she sent a letter to Kiama Council and all the Councillors asking if she could build it on Council land.

Eighteen months later, with much involvement from the broader community, the Community Care Cupboard has been installed at the Kiama Uniting Church on Manning Street and will be operational by Christmas.

Indi had seen a similar idea in the street in Coniston and immediately thought that it would be great for Kiama, having noticed people sleeping rough in various parts of our town.

Council didn’t respond officially, but (then) councillors Karen Renkema-Lang and Kathy Rice were impressed by Indi’s letter and approached Reverend Kath Merrifield from the Kiama Uniting Church.

Local architect Madeleine Scarfe was involved in the early stages to turn Indi’s vision into a formal drawing and the Men’s Shed were engaged to build it, so it has truly been a community project.

The slogan Indi created is “Take what you need, Give what you can”.

Her vision is that the community provides the supplies for the Community Care Cupboard for those in need to take.

The Care Cupboard will include toys and books for kids, non-perishable food, toiletries and blankets and towels in winter.

It is vital that the Community Care Cupboard be well stocked and maintained if it is to be a success - the plan is that this will be managed by a community-based roster, but the details are still being ironed out.

For more information, or to get involved, email Annie at [email protected] or if you would like to “give what you can”, you could just put your donations in the cupboard.