What is the Larder?
The Larder provides emergency food and essential items to people living with and financially disadvantaged by HIV. It is open each Monday and Wednesday from 10am-3pm (except public holidays)
Who is eligible to use The Larder?
You must be HIV positive. You need to bring proof of your HIV status with you when you first use the Larder. Proof of status can be either a doctor’s letter or a referral from an HIV organisation such as BGF or ACON.
You need to be currently out of work. Casual employment makes you ineligible to use the Larder.
You need to present your pension card or health-care card each time you visit the Larder.
How do people access the Larder?
When you arrive, please take a ticket and listen for your number to be called.
The blackboard in the dining room of the Centre displays the number that is being served and who is issuing tickets.
Clients are generally served in order. However, if you have specific request to be served quickly, such as a clinic visit, please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.
We encourage you to bring your own carry bag on each visit. The Larder does not supply plastic carry bags. All new clients are provided with a Go green bag when they register.
Please have your pension card ready for inspection.
What kind of assistance is available and how often can people use the service?
The assistance offered is a maximum of 8 items per visit at 1 visit per month.
Jester’s Pies and some other donated goods can be provided in addition to the 8 items. If you require pies, please ask.
Occasionally, fruit, vegetables, bread and other perishables are available from the kitchen. Please ask after lunch, but do not rely on this to be the case.
If you require assistance before your next visit is due, please ask the Larder staff. We would much prefer to help out than see you miss meals and go hungry.
If you are collecting items for other clients, a signed supporting letter must be provided for each pick-up.
We do not offer home deliveries. If you can’t make a pickup yourself, please try to make arrangements with a friend or carer and provide them with a supporting letter. If all else fails, please ring the Centre and ask to speak with the Larder staff who will try to arrange something for you.