Food pantry praised for 'building community'
A food pantry initiative celebrating its first anniversary has been praised for helping a community combat the cost of living crisis.
The work of volunteers from Newcastle Foodbank was hailed at a special event by the Bishop of Newcastle.
Members of the Blakelaw pantry scheme saved about £27,000 in 2023, by paying £5 a week to receive £20 worth of food and household items.
After meeting volunteers and users on Tuesday, the Right Reverend Dr Helen-Ann Hartley said the project was a place where "community is being forged and built".
The foodbank launched the pantry to prevent people in one of the city's most deprived communities from falling into poverty amid soaring food costs.
"In one sense, your heart breaks when you come in and see the reality of the need of people," Dr Hartley said.
"But actually, this is a genuine place, where people feel supported and have a sense of dignity when coming to access the services."
'I have full cupboards'
During its first year, there have been about 1,900 visits to the pantry's base at Blakelaw Community Centre, with an average of 40 people a week using the facility.
Donna Jewell has been using the Blakelaw pantry since it opened and told the Local Democracy Reporting Service she would not have been able to afford crucial items without it.
"I have full cupboards now," the 51-year-old said.
Kevin Taylor, 60, added: “The supermarket where I live is really dear, I would probably be paying £18 or something like that for the same items.”
Two other pantries have since opened, at Walker's Tree Top Village and at the Newcastle United Foundation, near St James' Park.
John McCorry, the foodbank's chief executive, said the initiative had helped to reduce food insecurity locally.
However, he said more people than ever were being forced to seek help, with footfall at services run by the foodbank increasing significantly over the winter.
"Low income households are struggling to get by and the cost of living, particularly food, is making it really hard for families," he added.
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