STAFF WRITER
Every Tuesday in Casino, a community cupboard is open to help people who are skipping meals to make ends meet.
CASPA has partnered with Foodbank to launch the Community Cupboard in Casino, to provide affordable access to essential groceries for families experiencing financial pressure.
The Community Cupboard will operate every Tuesday at 10am–noon during the school term.
The Community Cupboard is open to the entire community, offering staple pantry items at a reduced cost.
Data suggests up to 40% of Richmond valley residents are experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage, CASPA said.
In Casino and the surrounding Richmond Valley, these challenges are further compounded by the lasting impacts of the 2022 floods, ongoing housing shortages and lack of accessible social services.
CASPA’s Casino Family Supports program is seeing this need firsthand.
Since July 2025, the program has supported 41 families which equates to more than 225 individuals.
CASPA partnerships manager Samantha Mearns said the aim is for the Community Cupboard to respond to the growing need of families in a way that maintains dignity and choice.
“We’re seeing more families who are struggling to cover basic essentials, particularly food,” Ms Mearns said.
“What we know from our work with the community is that beyond emergency support, people want the ability to shop for themselves and their families in a way that empowers personal choice and provides a sense of normalcy.”
After being open only a few weeks, the Community Cupboard is already making a difference.
“My kids love strawberry jam, but I can usually only afford the cheap brands, full of sugar,” one shopper said who has attended every week since the Community Cupboard opened its doors.
“Here, I can afford to buy a much better version that I feel good feeding my kids. Being able to afford quality foods here means I can make our budget stretch and put healthy, home cooked meals on the table.”
The Community Cupboard provides a grocery-style experience, allowing individuals and families to select their own items. Current offerings include pantry staples such as cereal, long life milk, pasta, rice and spreads, with plans to expand into fresh and frozen items in the future.
Find the Community Cupboard at the CASPA Casino Office, 104 Centre Street, Casino.