Inner West Council staff recognise how important it is to continue to connect with community groups and other not-for-profits and NGOs in the area, to work with these groups so we can better support our vulnerable community members during this difficult period.
We have collated a list or helpful places to find information and support services below. Food Support services are included in this list.
You can also refer to Ask Izzy for information on state wide services such as housing, food assistance, refuges and much more.
- NSW Ageing and Disability Abuse Helpline: 1800 628 221. Available 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday
- Ageing and Disability Commission
- My Aged Care: 1800 200 422
- The National COVID 19 – Older Persons Information Line (older people and carers): 1800 171 866
- Aged Care and Rehab – Sydney Local Health District: 1300 722 276
- National Dementia Helpline 1800 100 500
- Seniors Rights Service: 1800 424 079
- Carers Australia Gateway: 1800 422 737
- Council of the Ageing ( COTA Australia): 1300 268 228
- For language assistance: 131 450
- Jobseekers hotline: 132 850
- Older Australians: 132 300
- Disability Support Pension: 132 717
- Multilingual Phone Service: 131 202
- Lifeline Australia: 24-hour telephone crisis support and suicide prevention: 13 11 14
- Suicide Callback Service: 1300 659 467
- Headspace: Online and telephone counselling for young people
- Kids helpline: 1800 551 800
- Beyond Blue: 24/7 support line and chat line available: 1300 224 636
- Transcultural Mental Health Service
- QLIFE: 1800 184 527 – LGBTIQ support and referral service
- Mental Health Line: 1800 011 511
- Reach Out: A web-based service for young people to help improve mental health and wellbeing
- 1800RESPECT: National sexual assault, domestic family violence counselling service: 1800 737 732
- Domestic Violence Helpline NSW: 1800 656 463
- Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800
- eheadspace: 1800 650 890
In case of emergency, fire, medical or police, please call 000.
Food pantries
We have collated a list of local Inner West Food pantries. If you need help please stop in and take what you need. If you are in a position to help you can donate food for those who need it.
Groceries and social support
- Foodbank NSW and ACT
Distribute food to where it's needed most. Phone 9756 3099. - Addi Road Food Pantry
Affordable groceries. Hut 1, 142 Addison Road, Marrickville. Phone 9569 7633.
Hours: Monday to Friday: 12pm - 4pm - Penisula Caring at Rozelle Neighbourhood Centre
A support network for all who live in and around Balmain, Rozelle, Birchgrove, Balmain East, Lilyfield, Annandale and surrounds. Help with shopping, mail, phone calls and urgent supplies. Phone 9556 9550, email peninsulacaring@rozellecentre.org.au, or complete an online request for help - Newtown Neighbourhood Centre
Information and referral service by phone, 10am to 2pm, Monday to Thursday on 9564 7333, or email communitystrengthening@newtowncentre.org - Vinnies
Assistance with food, clothing, household items and financial aid for people struggling to get by. Phone 13 18 12. - Leichhardt Mobile Community Pantry
Anglicare’s Mobile Community Pantry provides grocery or fresh food items at very low cost to help stretch your budget further.
Where : All Souls Anglican Church, Corner of Norton and Marion St, Leichhardt 2040 NSW
Opening hours: Every 4 weeks on a Monday 10:30-11:30am - check this website for the next date and more information.
Everyone is welcome. Make a small contribution and fill a bag with items of your choice.
$10 for groceries (EFTPOS available) Bring along your Pension, Health Care or Immigration Card.
Local free meals
These organisations will offer free takeaway meals for those experiencing homelessness or at the risk of:
- Exodus Foundation (take-away only)
180 Liverpool Road, Ashfield
Phone 8752 4600
Monday to Friday: 8am to 4pm
Weekends: 8am to 3pm - Newtown Mission Jordan’s Café (take-away only)
280A King Street, Newtown
Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday: 1pm to 3pm
Thursday: 6pm to 7pm - Saint Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church (take-away or eat-in)
378 King Street, Newtown
Phone 9519 7868
Meals and take away 6 days/week, 8am-2pm Monday-Saturday - Wayside Chapel
29 Hughes Street, Kings Cross
Phone 9581 9100
Café area remains open:
Monday to Saturday: 9:30am to 9:30pm
Sunday 10am to 9:30pm
Supermarkets
- Woolworths Priority Assistance Service
Offers dedicated delivery windows to eligible customers including seniors, people with a disability and those with compromised immunity or who are required to self-isolate. - Coles Online Priority Service
- Link2home: 1800 152 152. Provides 24/7 referral to accommodation and services
- Missionbeat: 1800 306 461. Homelessness outreach, welfare checks and services assisting people who are sleeping rough.
- The Burdekin Association: 02 8976 1777. Provides accommodation, care and support service to young people between 9 and 24 and their families in Inner West suburbs.
- Youth off the Streets: 8217 4700
Marrickville Legal Centre: Legal support with COVID19 fines and work rights.
Australian Centre for Disability Law (ACDL) COVID-19 Assistance Project: 1800 800 708 or 9370 3135 provides free legal assistance to people with disability and their associates who have experienced legal problems due to COVID-19 restrictions. adviceline@disabilitylaw.org.au
The following organisations provide services to the inner west community, and indicate if they require volunteers:
We have collated some important links to assist people with disability through COVID19.
- Disability Gateway
COVID-19 Information Helpline 1800 643 787 - People With Disability Australia (PWDA)
Information, links, resources and support contacts for community members with a disability. - IDEAS
A disability-specific information service with a free call number: 1800 029 904. - Centre of Research Excellence in Disability and Health
Aims to identify policies that improve the health of people with disabilities in Australia for service providers, government and medical professionals. - National Relay Service: 1800 555 677
If you are deaf, have a hearing or speech impairment
- Commonwealth income support
- Support available from the Australian Taxation Office
- Support available from the Small Business Commissioner
- Information about workplace rules from Fair Work Australia
- Information for renters
- Foodbank can help get food to people in need through local charities
- Translating and interpreter services 131 450
We are working with Sydney Local Health District and Department of Communities and Justice regarding vulnerable community members needing to access their services.
- Barnardos Australia
Barnardos Australia offer a range of programs in the Inner West including the Streetwork Program, Reconnect and the Family Referral Service. Phone 1800 066 757.
Support and food services
Council is aware that times can be very difficult for residents. There are local services providing assistance with food, bill help, and other material aid.
To find food support and bill help services, please refer to the list on this page. We will continue to update the information.
You can also refer to Ask Izzy for information on statewide services such as housing, food assistance, refuges and much more.
Where: 31 Pyrmont Bridge Rd, Camperdown.
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 12pm to 4pm
Reach us by public transport via any buses on Parramatta Road. Get off at Missenden Road and it’s a short walk from there. We are also a short walk from Sydney University, RPA hospital and Glebe. Parking available on streets nearby.
We believe no one should be going hungry in Australia today.
The Addi Road Food Pantry helps you stretch your budget and put healthy food on the table, while reducing your carbon footprint. Packaged goods sold at very low cost. Once you spend $5 or more we offer free fruit, vegetables and bread.
Who can shop at the Food Pantry?
Whatever your financial situation, if you’re looking for low cost groceries or committed to reducing food waste, you are welcome at the Addison Road Food Pantry. No proof of income or visa status is required, and vouchers are available for those who cannot pay.
Emergency relief for communities and clients
Organisations or individuals looking for food relief hampers or vouchers for your community or clients, please contact our office on 9569 7633 or info@addiroad.org.au
Want to support urgent food relief?
What: Affordable Groceries
Where: Addison Road Community Centre, Hut 1, 142 Addison Road, Marrickville, NSW. Ph: 9569 7633
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 12pm to 4pm
Reach us by public transport: 428 bus stops directly outside on Addison Road, we’re a short walk from Enmore Park on Victoria Road or a 15-minute walk from Stanmore train station. We also have bike racks, plus disabled and free parking.
We believe no one should be going hungry in Australia today.
The Addi Road Food Pantry helps you stretch your budget and put healthy food on the table, while reducing your carbon footprint. Packaged goods sold at very low cost. Once you spend $5 or more we offer free fruit, vegetables and bread.
Who can shop at the Food Pantry?
Whatever your financial situation, if you’re looking for low cost groceries or committed to reducing food waste, you are welcome at the Addison Road Food Pantry. No proof of income or visa status is required, and vouchers are available for those who cannot pay.
Emergency relief for communities and clients
Organisations or individuals looking for food relief hampers or vouchers for your community or clients, please contact our office on 9569 7633 or info@addiroad.org.au
Want to support urgent food relief?
Where: Ashfield Baptist Church Centre, 19 Holden Street Ashfield.
The Ashfield Blessing Box is run by the Ashfield Baptist Church community and available 24/7. The box is accessible to both donors and recipients to give and/or take at any time.
On request the Blessing Box also has a small supply of frozen meals and bread. In extreme circumstances, the Ashfield blessing Box may be able to organise contactless delivery.
To organise frozen meals or donate food or money to the Blessing Box contact Nerida by SMS on 0488990326 or neriched@gmail.com or send a Facebook message to the Ashfield Blessing Box.
Ask Izzy is a free and anonymous way to find national and local support. It includes services such as housing, meals, healthcare, counselling, legal advice and much more.
If you're having difficulty paying your current household energy bill because of a short-term financial crisis or emergency, such as unexpected medical bills, you could be eligible for Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA).
Apply for EAPA vouchers – Service NSW
Some EAPA providers may provide in-person assessments, telephone assessments, or both.
Where: 180 Liverpool Road, Ashfield
Bill Crews Exodus Foundation offer free meals 7 days per week. Breakfast 9am to 9:45am and Lunch 11:30am to 12:45pm
Everyone deserves fresh, nutritious food. That’s why we give healthy, free meals to the homeless and the hungry of Sydney, 7-days a week. Our famous Loaves & Fishes Free Restaurant serves breakfast and lunch. Anyone in need is welcome.
You can get other kinds of help to ride over the bumps in everyday life, from healthcare to legal advice.
You can support the Bill Crews Foundation by donating food, money or volunteering.
Junction Neighbourhood Centre (JNC) The Junction Neighbourhood Centre (JNC) understands this new 2021 lockdown is a hard time for everyone and we are working together to provide up to date information on local services which can provide support.
JNC has created a list of services that are operating during the June/July 2021 outbreak COVID-19 pandemic, including details of any changed arrangements for accessing them. These services are changing daily and we will keep this directory up to date with all relevant services. Some are available Sydney wide- others are for people living in Randwick or Waverly Local Government areas.
Please note that details will change after the lockdown ends, so please call first or check our website. If you have any other enquiries you can call our office on 9349 8200 so we can assist you.
We will continue to support our community during this difficult time. If you have an enquiry about services or need support, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Where : All Souls Anglican Church, Corner of Norton and Marion Stret, Leichhardt 2040 NSW
Opening hours: Every 4 weeks on a Monday, 10:30 to 11:30am - check this website for the next date and more information.
Anglicare’s Mobile Community Pantry provides grocery or fresh food items at very low cost to help stretch your budget further. Everyone is welcome. Make a small contribution and fill a bag with items of your choice.
$10 for groceries. Bring along your Pension, Health Care or Immigration Card. EFTPOS available.
If you need food relief, please use this map to Oz harvest find food via postcode search:Oz harvest find food via postcode search:Oz harvest find food via postcode search:Oz harvest find food via postcode search:
Everybody deserves access to quality, nutritious food, but during these tough times, more people than ever are being forced to go without.
Join us in giving hope to those doing it tough and donate to Oz Harvest today.
Where : 756 Darling St Rozelle 2039
When : Every 2nd Friday ( Except Public Holidays) 1230pm - 2pm
What : No cost, Fruit & Vegetables, bread and more.
P : 9556 9504 www.rozellecentre.org.au
Where: 181 Parramatta Rd (Corner Young St), Annandale
Opening hours: During COVID lockdown - Tuesday 12noon to 3:30pm and Friday 8:30am to 1pm
The Sydney Food Pantry is a free food service. See the list of available groceries here.
To register phone or SMS: 0449 844 006