PICAL Emergency Food Relief Pantry

Through our emergency food relief pantry PICAL provides a vital service to those people in our community experiencing hardship. The Pantry is 100% managed by volunteers and relies on regular donations from local stores such as Aldi, Coles, IGA, San Remo Butchers and Woolworths. We also receive donations from some of our other fabulous local residents and businesses. Food Bank Victoria supports our pantry with regular deliveries. The Pantry volunteers provide food and staples in the form of meat, vegetables, frozen meals, canned food, grocery items and pet food.

Open Mon - Fri 9am to 3pm

PICAL Emergency Food Relief Pantry Story

Phil Dixon - Founder of the Food Relief Pantry

Long-serving volunteer and committee member Phil Dixon started the emergency food relief service in December 2008, largely in response to the Global Financial Crisis. With the assistance of local churches, Phil organised donations from surrounding Cowes businesses and local supermarkets.

The service has operated continuously since then, with the contribution of many other local groups, banks and community organisations. Since 2008, it’s estimated the service has fed in excess of 10,000 people.

In October 2019, PICAL recognised Phil’s commitment to helping the community by naming the emergency food relief service the Phil Dixon Pantry and presented Phil with a Lifetime Service Certificate.

Cooking Group

We have two separate cooking groups who prepare ready made meals for distribution through our pantry. They produce around 100 meals on average each week.