Community
28 January, 2026
Op shop gives back
COBDEN Uniting Church op shop helped over 70 people with food vouchers over the Christmas period, supporting the community during tough times.
The program has been running for many years but recently changed from food hampers to food vouchers to meet the needs of both the users and the organisers.
“We used to give out food hampers and it was a lot of work for everybody,” op shop welfare officer Helen Perkins said.
“At the end of the year before last everyone was getting older and we were finding it was all too much – going to the supermarket, gathering food, packing it all, carrying the boxes to everywhere, so we suggested that we gave IGA food cards instead.
“It’s been the best thing, because also a lot of people we’ve found have food sensitivities and they couldn’t eat the food we were giving them.
“This way they can choose what they want and we try and give it out a couple weeks before Christmas so that they have time to get what they need before their Christmas meal.”
Op shop joint manager Barbara Cowley said they were able to spend over $6000 on hampers through the program, which was a combined effort of multiple community groups.
“It was the combined donations of the Cobden Christian reformed church, Cobden Vinnies, Rotary Club of Cobden, Quota Friends of Rotary and the Cobden combined Christian crib committee,” she said.
“From Camperdown Community House we got Christmas cakes.
“We also got donations from some local people.”
Mrs Perkins said the Cobden Scouts also contributed.
“Mandy Reid organised the scouts to do up little bags of lollies to go with each hamper that we gave out,” she said.
“Most people got a pudding, custard, a bag of lollies and an IGA voucher.”
The welfare office is open at the op shop year-round on Tuesdays from 10am-3pm, where people can meet with Mrs Perkins for a chat and to get assistance if they need it.
“People feel comfortable to come in and talk to me now and I just tell them during the year if they need anything to just come in and have a chat,” Mrs Perkins said.
“If you’re struggling to make ends meet you’re welcome to come into the op shop and see me, have a chat, we can help you with food or vouchers for IGA.
“We can help with clothes and shoes.
“It’s all confidential.”
Towards the end of the year, Mrs Perkins said she would let her clients know they could come into the op shop to collect their food vouchers for Christmas.
“People are absolutely over the moon – some people burst into tears when they see how much we’re giving them in vouchers, they’re very grateful,” she said.
“I ring people a few days beforehand and tell them they can come in and pick up their vouchers and I tell Barb (Cowley) I need to spend time with each person.
“I want to talk to them all.
“They were just so grateful and didn’t expect what we gave them.”
Mrs Cowley said any donations from the community or businesses were welcome and gratefully accepted.
“Coprice Cobden donated some food baskets and filled our pantry too,” she said.
“They wanted to do something for the community over Christmas so they had a collection of food and they brought it down here.
“If more people are aware of what happens in the community, we’re hoping the community might like to contribute more to this cause.
“We’ve been able to help in other ways too, perhaps socially.
“When we know about people’s needs we’re able to support them.”
No referral is required to see Mrs Perkins and she can be contacted on 0422 320 733 for any further questions or to organise an appointment.
If Mrs Perkins is unavailable, the op shop can be contacted on 0475 699 483 during opening hours and a message may be left.
For funding enquiries please email cobdenuc@gmail.com or phone the op shop and leave a message.
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