Earlier in the week Isle of Wight council asked schools to write to parents to explain the food voucher scheme during holidays for children on free school meals had been withdrawn, meaning those families won’t have the expected food next week.
Isle of Wight council requested the schools share details about the new community pantry in East Cowes.
The East Cowes Community Pantry opened at the end of April and is being run by a small organisation called Community Spirited – sadly they are currently the only one of the Isle of Wight.
Increased demand for services
Since school emails went out to parents, those working there have been flooded with calls from families from all over the Island about how to access the service.
Your help needed
Community Spirited are a very small organisation, doing their best to support the community, but with this increased demand from across the Island they now need our help.
To help feed families struggling, they’d welcome any donations of food to support next week’s anticipated increased activity.
There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer to help our community through these tough times.
They would welcome:
- Baked beans
- Pasta sauces
- Corned beef in a tin
- Tuna (4 in a pack)
- Long life semi skimmed milk
- Toilet rolls (packs of 4)
- Squash (any flavours)
- Coffee
Love: Any help would be welcomed
Cllr Karl Love told News OnTheWight,
“They will do their best to support people, however it is a new fledgling initiative and they did not expect to be supporting an entire Island community in this way, so if you can spare or make donations of foods, which can help families who receive free school meals and others, this would be very welcomed.”
Donations can be dropped off at Community Spirited between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday at the Parkside Pavilion, Vectis Road East Cowes.
Another Community Pantry is due to open in Ventnor on Tuesday (31st May at Babybox) and a third in Ryde on 9th June.
Where and when
The pantry is open Tuesday 1.30-3.30pm, Wednesday and Thursdays 10-1pm.
You can find the Community Pantry at Parkside Pavilion, Vectis Road, East Cowes PO32 6RL.
You can find out more about Community Spirited via their social media page.
Image: © Community Spirited
