The Hamilton community pantry is not set to be taken away on Wednesday after an eleventh hour item was passed by Newcastle councillors on Tuesday night.
The late item put up by Labor councillors was for council officers to continue working with Food Not Bombs and other local agencies to "support the appropriate, safe and clean provision of items and services that are needed like the Hamilton Community Pantry".
Tom Wickert, who is involved in Food Not Bombs, which helps stock the pantry, said the change of heart was definitely welcome.
"I feel like they've finally recognised how important this service is," he said.
While it remains unclear exactly what the future of the pantry is, including where it will be located, Mr Wickert said it was great that council was willing to take a collaborative approach.
"This is the start of a conversation, now we can ask these important questions," he said.
"In a growing insecure climate of COVID, these things are going to get more and more important.
"Food Not Bombs didn't stop serving food through lockdown. We were able to do that because the free shop allowed us to have a zero contact thing."
A community event was set to be held in the park on Wednesday for people to show their support for the pantry, but due to COVID-19 restrictions it has been scaled back to a rolling day of support.
