M&S Carlisle

We are a small catholic school on the outskirts of Carlisle serving the community of Botcherby and the wider area. We would very much like to help our parents, carers and members of the community to come together to have meals or take food packages home during this time of food crisis. Many of our families regularly use the local food bank and in addition to that we make up food parcels for families over the school holidays.

As a Local Pantry, we go beyond the food bank model, creating a sustainable and long-term solution to food poverty. Members have reported improved financial positions, improved health and well-being and reduced isolation. The small weekly subscription of £4.50, enables members of this pantry to access up to approximately £25 worth of food from their own choosing, including fresh fruit and vegetables and store cupboard favourites. In return for the fee, Members can choose at least ten items of food each week, along with additional opportunities of volunteering and training. Membership is open to residents in the Carlisle City area.

Carlisle Foodbank exists to provide emergency food parcels to vulnerable and disadvantaged people. We receive donations of tinned, dried, packet and long life food from a diverse range of sources, including supermarkets, churches, schools, banks, and community groups. Our volunteers use this to make up food parcels and give them to people who are referred to us by 40 agencies across the city. We are trying to source and use more food that would otherwise be wasted, and make our food parcels more nutritionally balanced.