Pennywell Pantry seeks volunteers
The rising cost of living has been making the headlines again and again and many low-income families are facing the serious threat of food poverty.
Whilst political action and long-term solutions are required to tackle the issue, one method of support which aims to mitigate these rising living costs is local pantries. These provide local shops where residents and families can sign up to buy food and necessities for a small weekly membership fee.
The local Pennywell Pantry covering Muirhouse and West Pilton managed to avoid losing its permanent premises late last year thanks to the efforts of local charities and volunteers.
The Pantry, which is operated under the Your Local Pantry franchise, was delivered by local charity North Edinburgh Arts, in Muirhouse shopping centre. It became very popular with full subscription from many residents and families in the area and was particularly valued as a new service delivered through lockdowns.
However, redevelopment of the Muirhouse area meant the pantry was to lose its regular premises, so North Edinburgh Arts reached out to a neighbouring charity to ensure the Pantry would be able to continue serving local residents.
Julie Crawford from NEA’s Link-up Muirhouse team explained: “We knew first-hand how important the pantry had become and the devastating effect its closure would have on the local community.
“We were committed to finding a new partner to work with to ensure it would continue running without a gap in service for the community. We explored several options and found Community Renewal: Pennywell, who are as passionate as us about keeping the pantry going.
“Alongside the team of dedicated volunteers, they are now running the pantry from their premises and we have been supporting them every step of the way as they learn the ropes.”
Sheila Thomson. Community Renewal’s Regional Director for the East adds: “We have been building up a community hub on Pennywell Road where we provide a wide range of support to residents in the area, along with several other organisations in the building.
“We were aware of how popular the pantry was, thanks to the hard work of all the volunteers and team at NEA and we were honoured to work with them to settle the Pantry into its new home.
“Thanks to a group of committed volunteers and staff from the Community Renewal team, the pantry is now up and running.”
Local resident and Pantry member Kevin is delighted that the pantry has kept going: “As most people know, basic household bills are really high now. The cost of essential things like energy and food is going up and up, but income has hardly changed.
“Not everyone feels comfortable going to a food bank and the Pantry gives members the ability to pay an affordable price for items they want instead of putting more pressure on Foodbanks and other services that are needed elsewhere.
“The volunteers have worked overtime to make sure the Pantry is a place where members feel welcomed and want to visit!”
Local councillor, Kevin Lang joined the team at today’s official launch and was full of praise for the efforts of everyone involved: “With a growing cost-of-living crisis and life hard for so many, we need to do all we can to help those struggling.
“I am proud and so very grateful to all these charities and volunteers for coming together to support families and residents in Muirhouse and West Pilton in this way. They have my full support.”
Your Local Pantry’s Scottish Development Worker, Rachel Brown added: “Pennywell Pantry has been an incredible success story since it opened and has been an inspiration to many other communities across Edinburgh and beyond.
“The Pantry helps to strengthen the neighbourhood, nurtures new friendships and opportunities, and enables hundreds of local people to save on their groceries, freeing up money for other essentials.
“We’re delighted that its future is now secured and wish everyone at the Pantry well in the new home.”
With support from the Community Renewal staff, a team of local volunteers has created a welcoming and safe space for local residents to come shop, have a chat, and inquire about other services and supports when needed.
The pantry is currently fully subscribed though anyone is welcome to sign up to the waiting list for the next opening and Community Renewal: Pennywell are issuing a call-out for volunteers.
Sheila explained: “The pantry runs every week Wednesday to Saturday. It is extremely busy, and we are always on the lookout for people to help us run it.
“It is a great way to meet other people, learn new skills and do something positive for the community.”
Anyone who is interested can email pennywellpantry@communityrenewal.org.uk or call 0131 332 8773
