A community pantry has been opened in Eltham.
Eltham resident Amanda Patterson says the idea is for people to take what they need and give what they can.
"I was friends with a lady in Foxton who started one and I thought this is needed in the Eltham community."
Amanda says she mentioned the idea to the Eltham Christian Harvest Centre asking if they would give some food to help it start.
"It started off as a fridge donated by a lady who is part of the church. We found it filled too fast, so then Neil Shotter built a pantry for it."