Cook and Connect: Winter Food Drive 2026

Two older women discussing recipes from opposite sides of a wooden fence

This winter, join us in supporting local food pantries, connecting with neighbours and sharing budget-friendly meals to help out with the high cost of living. One for you, one for a neighbour!

Donate to our Winter Food Drive in the Libraries

The City of Ryde is partnering with local community service organisations to stock their free community pantries. Next time you’re at the shops picking up pantry staples, grab one for you and one for a neighbour, and drop the extra one off at any library branch where it will be passed on to the community pantries.

The libraries will be accepting donations from Monday 4 May to Sunday 28 June 2026.

Donations should be non-perishable, in-date and fully sealed in brand-new condition. Items suitable for donation include:

  • Good quality tinned food and meals (with ring pulls)
  • Noodles, pasta, and rice
  • Long life milk
  • Muesli bars and snacks
  • Deodorant, soap and body wash
  • Shampoo, conditioner and sanitary items
  • Baby wipes and nappies
  • Baby food and formula