A new community pantry is set to open in Newport to provide affordable food for residents who need it.
Members of The Pyle Street Pantry will be able to visit the pantry once a week and take their pick of the produce on offer, for a contribution of £5.
Giving those in need a helping hand
Based at Newport Congregational Church, the pantry aims to give those in need a helping hand by providing food at a lower price than can be found in supermarkets.
It is expected to open its doors around Easter time. Applications will not be taken until the pantry goes live and this will be announced in due course.
Evans: A life line of support for people in this time
Rev Mark Evans said,
“We are very excited about opening The Pyle Street Pantry having seen other pantries on the Island, which are a breath of fresh air and a life line of support for people in this time.
“We have always worked in partnership to serve the community and particularly feeding people over the last seven years, be that supermarkets, compassionate people that want to support and look after the Island’s vulnerable.
“The Pyle Street Pantry will be a collaboration working with many people locally and nationally to provide good quality food and assistance as we work together in these times. Our vision is to create a ‘Community in unity’.”
Connect4communities programme
The pantry has been supported by the Isle of Wight Council through its successful connect4communities programme, with funding from the Department for Work and Pensions.
It is the fourth to open on the Island with at least three more planned.
Andre: Many Island people are struggling to cop
Cllr Debbie Andre, the council’s Cabinet member for children’s services, said,
“Being able to get groceries at a lower rate than can be found anywhere else means anyone 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 Island people are struggling to cope, so this provision has never been more important.”
Find out more
Information about where community pantries are currently located is published on the council’s cost of living Webpages.
Community pantries are just one way the council is helping to support residents through the cost of living crisis.
Investing more than £1.1 million
Using its latest round of Household Support Funding, the authority is investing more than £1.1 million in a wide variety of support targeting households facing hardship.
This includes food vouchers to eligible Island residents, discretionary grants to schools to help families with costs relating to food and warm clothing, funding to support the Living Well and Early Help Service mobile support hub and funding to Citizens Advice to provide help with fuel and utility bills.
Stephens: Vital support for vulnerable families
Cllr Ian Stephens, Cabinet member for poverty, added,
“This ongoing support will be vital for vulnerable families during these most challenging of times.
“I would urge anyone who is unsure if they can access support, to email [email protected] or visit the connect4communities website.”
News shared by Isle of Wight council press office, in their own words. Ed
