The South Nowra-based store, which provides hundreds in need with affordable food, was facing closure as former manager Helen Esdaile had to step aside for family reasons.

Read more: Nowra Community Food Store faces closure

Mrs Tribe decided to take over the charity, which will reopen August 2, after paying the store a visit in their last week of trade.

"In the week before they were closing, I had a call that they were about to close and were really desperate for another charity to take them on," said Mrs Tribe.

"I went down purely just to take a photo and put it on Facebook and help them get the word out. And I was actually blown away by what I saw.

"They were just incredibly busy so they are obviously a really well utilized service that people rely on.

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"I just kept thinking someone has to take over and not let it close down. And eventually I thought well, maybe that someone is me."

Nowra Community Food Store sees an average of 400 people walk through its doors weekly, providing fresh food and pantry items to low income earners and those doing it tough.

Opened by Helen and David Esdaile 16 years ago, Mrs Tribe mentioned the store has an incredible legacy.

"The store just has such a great legacy. David and Helen started it from their home 16 years ago, and they've grown to what it is today," she said.

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The official reopening will be Monday, August 2, with cake and speeches to honour David and Helen.

The store is located at Unit 10/158 Princes Highway, South Nowra and will be open Monday to Friday 9:30am to 3:30pm.

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