THE PANTRY BOX CHALLENGE 2025 | "7 Days Without Food Makes One Weak"

Food insecurity isn’t just a statistic, it’s a devastating reality for families, individuals, and children in our state. Right now, 1 in 6 Australian children and 1 in 8 adults are living below the poverty line. That means thousands of kids are starting their day hungry, going to school without lunch, and going to bed without enough to eat, while their parents and carers are also quietly going without, skipping meals so their children can eat first.

The effects of poverty on children last far beyond an empty stomach. Hunger impacts their ability to concentrate at school, their physical growth, and their emotional wellbeing. Without proper nutrition, children struggle to learn, thrive, and dream about the future. Poverty robs them not only of food today, but of opportunity tomorrow.

At Bridge Builders Inc., we believe food is not a privilege, it is a basic human right. Yet every week, we see families forced to make impossible choices: pay rent or buy food, fill the car with petrol or fill their children’s lunchboxes. That’s why we provide Pantry Boxes and Backpacks filled with staple items to help families survive. It’s a lifeline, but it’s not enough.

Now, we’re challenging YOU to step into their shoes. Join the Pantry Box Challenge and live for 7 days on the same limited food we provide to families facing poverty. This challenge will give you a glimpse into what so many people in our community endure every day, and why we must work together to end poverty and hunger in our community. 

We encourage you to document your journey, through social media, blogs, or video, and share how it impacts you physically, emotionally, and mentally. Your story will help shine a light on the hidden face of poverty in our community.

By taking part, you will not only raise awareness but also raise vital funds so Bridge Builders Inc. can continue to provide food assistance, dignity, and hope to children and families struggling with the cost-of-living and housing crisis.

Together, we can ensure that no one goes hungry. Because every person deserves the chance to grow, learn, and thrive.

STEP 1: ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE

For 7 days, commit to eating only what’s inside a typical food relief Pantry Box: pasta, rice, noodles, a tin of tomato paste, baked beans, tuna or chicken, a few pieces of fruit and vegetables, cereal, soup, bread, and long-life milk. No extras, no takeaways, no comfort snacks. Just the bare basics.

And just like the families who access food relief services, you won’t get to tailor it to your needs. There’s no choice of gluten-free, lactose-free, or diabetic-friendly options. If you have allergies or health requirements, you adapt, or go without. This is the stark reality for so many who turn to food relief.

STEP 2: FUNDRAISE FOR THE CAUSE

Set up your fundraising page and ask your friends, family, and colleagues to sponsor your challenge. Every dollar raised helps us keep vital programs running, from filling empty shelves at the Community Food Pantry, to ensuring kids don’t go hungry on weekends through Backpack Buddies, to giving families a reason to smile with Birthday in a Box, and working towards having a food for health model where those with allergies and health conditions don't have to choose between health and hunger. 

STEP 3: SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE

Hunger is more than an empty stomach. It’s exhaustion, frustration, and the emotional toll of limited choice. Share your journey through social media, video diaries, or blogs, talk about how it feels to repeat meals, to have cravings you can’t satisfy, to realise how quickly food runs out. Use #PantryBoxChallenge2025 to show your community what poverty really looks like.

📘 facebook.com/bridgebuildersinc
📸 instagram.com/bridgebuildersincorporated

STEP 4: MAKE A DIFFERENCE

By completing the challenge, you’ll raise both awareness and vital funds to support families who can’t walk away from hunger after 7 days. For them, a Pantry Box from a food relief organisation is not a choice, it’s survival. And together, we can provide not just food, but dignity, hope, and the chance for people to thrive.

WHAT'S IN THE BOX | 7 DAYS WORTH OF MEALS

PANTRY STAPLES

• Pasta – 500g 

• Rice – 1kg 

• 1 Can Tomato Paste – 170g

• 2 Instant Noodles Pots (Beef or Chicken) – 140g total

• Rolled Oats - 750g

• Chicken Noodle Packet Soup – 50g

• 1 Can of Baked Beans or Spaghetti in tomato sauce– 420g

• 1 Can Tuna - 95g 

• 1 packet of stock cubes (vegetable, beef or chicken) - 35g

FRUIT AND VEGETABLES

• Carrots x 6

• Onions x 4

• Potatoes x 6

• Available Fruit x 7 pieces

BAKERY

• Bread x 2 Loafs

* Please keep in mind, not everyone has access to electrical appliance i.e., food processors, slow cookers or condiments such as salt, pepper, sugar, oil or any other spices and seasoning etc.

WANT TO GO DEEPER

If you really want to feel what life is like for those doing it tough, take your challenge to the next level. These small sacrifices will give you a glimpse into the daily reality faced by people experiencing homelessness and hardship:

• Sleep rougher – swap your bed for the couch, the floor, your car or even a tent in your backyard.
• Go without comfort – skip hot showers and imagine not having reliable access to hot water.
• Disconnect – turn off the TV and put away your devices to feel the isolation of having little to no entertainment.
• Feel the cold – switch off your heating and experience the chill that many families endure when they can’t afford power bills.

By choosing to go deeper, you’ll connect more closely with the reality of poverty and homelessness, and your story will help others understand just how tough it really is.

WHY JOIN THE PANTRY BOX CHALLENGE?

• 7 Days. One Box. Experience first-hand what it means to live with food insecurity, the empty cupboards, the limited choices, and the constant worry about the next meal.
  
• Raise Awareness. Be a voice for the 1 in 6 children and 1 in 8 adults living below the poverty line. Show your community the harsh realities of poverty that too often remain hidden.
  
• Raise Hope. Every dollar you raise goes directly to Bridge Builders programs, because we receive no government funding. Your support helps us deliver food, dignity, and life-changing assistance to families who can’t choose to walk away from hunger.

❓ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the Pantry Box Challenge?

The Pantry Box Challenge is a 7-day fundraising event where participants commit to eating only the contents of a typical food relief Pantry Box, the same limited food we provide to families experiencing poverty and food insecurity. The challenge raises awareness and vital funds to support Bridge Builders programs.

What’s in a Pantry Box?

A typical food relief Pantry Box from Bridge Builders contains staple items such as rice, pasta, noodles, tinned meat, bread, cereal, long-life milk, and fresh fruit and vegetables. These are the same essentials we provide to families who come to us for help.

Unlike many food relief providers who can only distribute what has been donated by food rescue partners, we go a step further. While we are grateful to receive weekly fruit, vegetables, and bakery goods, and occasionally dairy or protein, shelf-stable items are not donated regularly by local supermarkets. To bridge this gap, Bridge Builders actively fundraises so we can purchase key staples directly from local supermarkets and Foodbank, depending on where we can get the best value for money.

We also work hard to source alternative dietary options wherever possible, to better support those living with allergies or specific health needs. While we can’t always guarantee gluten-free, lactose-free, or diabetic-friendly choices, we do our best to make them available when funds allow.

Every item in a Pantry Box is carefully considered. For example, baked beans are a high-protein, versatile option that pair well with the bread we receive from donors. We compare costs across all supermarkets including Foodbank to ensure we’re stretching every dollar as far as it can go, so that families in our community receive not only food, but the best value, nourishment, and dignity we can provide.

Can I add extra food during the challenge?

No — the challenge is about living on only what’s in the Pantry Box. 

However, you can unlock “bonus” items such as an extra piece of fruit or a small amount of protein by reaching donation milestones. This mirrors how your fundraising provides more food for families in need.

Who benefits from the funds raised?

Every dollar raised goes directly to Bridge Builders Inc. programs, including the Community Food Pantry, Backpack Buddies (weekend meals for children), and Birthday in a Box. We do not receive government funding, so your support makes an immediate difference.

Do you partner with other food relief organisations?

Yes. Bridge Builders Inc. is a registered charity partner with SecondBite, receiving weekly food donations from them. We are also a registered partner with Foodbank WA, which allows us to purchase items from their social supermarket. These partnerships help us stretch resources further and provide more support to families in need.

Why focus on children?

Right now, 1 in 6 children and 1 in 8 adults in Australia live below the poverty line. For children, hunger is about more than an empty stomach, it impacts their ability to concentrate in the classroom, their physical growth, and their emotional wellbeing. Poverty today robs them of opportunity tomorrow.

While there are a number of services in our community offering programs for adults and youth, there is a growing gap when it comes to supporting younger children aged 5 to 12. These are critical years for learning, growth, and development. That’s why supporting children and families is at the very heart of what we do. By focusing on this age group, we can provide food, stability, and hope at a time in life when it matters most.

How do I register?

Simply sign up online through our registration form. Once you’ve registered, we’ll send you your starter pack, fundraising page details, and tips to help you begin.

How do I fundraise?

Share your fundraising page with family, friends, colleagues, and your wider community. Post updates about your challenge on social media using #PantryBoxChallenge2025 to inspire others to donate and support your efforts.