A new community store aimed at strengthening community and reducing shopping bills has opened in Purfleet-on-Thames, Thurrock.
Purfleet Community Pantry has opened in Centurion Way in the town. It is the 122nd in the Your Local Pantry network, but the first in Essex.
The team behind the Pantry initially hoped to reach 50 members within three months, but they had reached 48 within just two weeks and have been thrilled with the response. They are now seeking additional volunteers, and are also keen to partner with local food businesses.
Lynn Gittins, community liaison officer at Thurrock Council, said: “Local people really want the area to have a community feel again, for their children. There is such a positive mindset in the community now and a real buzz. Residents say there is a real community developing, and we feel the Pantry can be a hub within that.”
“The nearest supermarkets are a bus ride or car drive away, and having the Pantry in the community will make such a big difference.”
The Pantry has grown out of local residents’ determination to address challenges in their community. A food shelf had been set up at a local hub but it had grown and grown, and the Pantry and a cafe have now opened in a previously-empty building owned by Thurrock Council.
The work has been a joint effort involving the council, Purfleet on Thames Community Forum, Peabody Trust, Thurrock CVS, and volunteers from the community hub: Joanne, Kyra, Becky, Terri, Mo, John, Scott and Nicole. The building has been transformed by the council and local businesses.
Jacqui Payne from Thurrock CVS said: “We want to provide not just food, but wrap-around support for the long term, to build a strong community. We will have things like debt management advice, projects and activities people can join, and training, so it all becomes more sustainable. We are looking at what else the Pantry could become and be part of - the community has set up an allotment, growing fresh vegetables that we are cooking in the cafe, and we are looking at setting up distribution network with other food as well.”
She said the community had an idea of its vision for the site, and said: “Finding Your Local Pantry was a godsend - we knew what we wanted to do, but needed to know how to do it.” They visited one of the Pantries run with Peabody in London, and were hugely impressed by the difference it makes to people’s lives.
Pantries help to strengthen community, improve people’s physical and mental health, and improve people’s financial situation by reducing grocery bills.
Members pay a small amount each week, and can then access groceries worth far more, typically saving £21 a week. Membership improves household food security, and members also enjoy wide-ranging additional outcomes.
Last week, Your Local Pantry launched its Places Of Hope report, showing the impact Pantries have across the UK. It found that members nationally had saved £5.76m in shopping bills in the past 12 months. Members also talk about improvements to their physical and mental health, reduced loneliness, new friendships, increased intake of fresh fruit and vegetables, and connection to additional opportunities and support.
The Purfleet Pantry is open to anyone in the town. There is a £3 joining fee, and then members pay £5 each week in return for ten items. Members who shop every week will typically save around £1,000 a year.
Pantries are sustainable, long-term, community-led solutions that can loosen the grip of food poverty in a particular neighbourhood. Pantries have various food sources, such as supermarket surplus via food recycling charity Fareshare, and by developing relationships with local food businesses.
Church Action on Poverty supports the roll-out of pantries across the UK, and is working with the Co-op to support the opening of many new Pantries this year and next.
Anyone interested in joining should email [email protected]
[Photo used with permission www.thurrock.gov.uk/news/community-hubs-and-community-centres/thurrock-council-launches-new-community-pantry]
