Aldershot community pantry to help people struggling to cope with rising cost of living

A NEW community pantry aimed at helping to feed vulnerable families is set to open in Aldershot. The service is one of five new facilities opening in Hampshire with support from the connect4communities programme, led by Hampshire County Council. Each pantry will help families who are facing hardship to access food at reduced prices. Community pantries work by offering access through membership and, for a small weekly contribution, members can select food and essential supplies costing a significantly higher value. For example, for a charge of £5 members receive food worth £15. The new community pantry will be at The Vine Centre, in Station Road.

Cllr Roz Chadd, the county council’s executive lead member for children’s services, said: “Community pantries are a lifeline for many people. Being able to get groceries at a lower rate than can be found anywhere else means vulnerable families can access basics like food, which many of us take for granted. By providing this ‘helping hand’ approach community pantries can help people who find themselves in a difficult financial situation. Rising costs and economic uncertainty means many Hampshire families are struggling to cope, so this provision has never been more important.”

As well as stocking fresh, frozen and general foods, some pantries offer meal deals and recipe ideas to encourage healthy eating. Some also work with Citizens Advice and other charities to provide support on budgeting, wellbeing, adult learning and employment.

The connect4communities funding has ensured there is at least one community pantry in each of the 11 districts in the county council local authority area – either by supporting an existing foodbank or community cupboard to change to the pantry model, or by establishing a new one. The five new pantries recently set up brings the total in Hampshire to 20.

The connect4communities programme is funded by the Department for Work and Pensions and aims to support struggling families and individuals. It is run in partnership with schools, colleges and Early Years providers, as well as voluntary and charity organisations. Information about where pantries are located is published on the Family Information and Services Hub (FISH) directory. Anyone wishing to become a member should contact their local pantry. Visit www.connect4communities. org for more about the community pantries project.