Hobart teachers call on people to donate non-perishable food items and toiletries

Two Hobart teachers shocked by selfish displays of hoarding are inviting people to donate grocery items to be distributed in ‘survival packs’. Find out how you can help.

Matthew Stolp, of North Hobart, and Emily Wilkins, of Oakdowns, have been collecting and delivering food and toiletry items during the COVID-19 pandemic. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

TWO Hobart teachers were so impressed by the generosity of locals during a Pantry Drive charity event last month that they are planning a second once for next month.

Teachers Matthew Stolp from Guilford Young College and Emily Wilkins from Sacred Heart College were so distressed by the selfish displays of hoarding in the early weeks of the pandemic crisis that they felt compelled to find a way to tap into the more generous side of human nature instead.

So they planned a Pantry Drive, inviting people to donate grocery items, to be left on doorsteps and collected by car, on March 28.

It was such a success that a second Pantry Drive will be held on May 9.

“We collected about three full carloads of groceries from about 50 houses, which was all donated to St Vinnies to be distributed as survival packs to people in need,” Mr Stolp said.

“For the next drive we are doing a lot more to raise awareness through social media and letterboxing and we hope it will be way bigger.”

Mr Stolp said it was heartening to see the way people stepped up to help out and were so enthusiastic to do the right thing.

“I had a stress reaction to the hoarding when it all happened, I though wow, is that the way people behave in a crisis?” he said.

“The Pantry Drive isn’t just helping the needy but also helps to spread that sense of community spirit, and now that the initial panic has settled we are seeing a lot more examples of that.”

He said he would love to see the idea spread to other parts of the state.

People from the greater Hobart area are urged to donate non-perishable food items and toiletries.

Register your donation by emailing Matthew Stolp on [e-mail] or Emily Wilkins on [e-mail] with your name, address, and where you will place groceries on May 9 for collection.