ALDI GORTON

We run an emergency food parcel service and since the pandemic, have been delivering to our clients around Manchester. Our food service is by referrals for people fleeing domestic abuse who are struggling as they apply for their welfare benefits, have debts due to moving, suffer from mental health and have young children who might otherwise go hundry. Via our premises we provide for a small fee or in extreme cases for free items such as food, clothing, furniture and other essential items. Primarily working with survivors of domestic abuse and homelessness. Our aim is to see individuals and families not suffer the indignity nor the hardship of doing without the essentials of life. No one should need to suffer for lack of financial funds, no one should not be able to eat, clothing or furnish their properties.

Provision of relief of items to vulnerable and disadvantaged families. We now want to launch a community hub but need more funding, help with fridge and a space to fully launch the hub. When this is accomplished we will be able to increase our beneficiary base as well as increase our services. People will not have to wait to get appointments before accessing food. They can get come in everyday we are open to eat.

In 2013 it was noticed that there was a huge increase in the number of individuals and families accessing food banks in Stockport. We wanted to find a way to help before they reached the crisis point of needing emergency food parcels. This where we came up with the idea for Your Local Pantry. Penny Lane Pantry was launched in August 2013. with 150 memberships available. Members pay a small, weekly subscription fee of £2.50 and in return members can select at least 10 items from the pantry's shelves - often worth in excess of £15.00 at retail. The pantry stocks a wide range of goods including fresh fruit and vegetables, chilled and frozen, toiletries and all the usual store cupboard favourites. However, the pantry is more than just about food,. We offer local residents the opportunity to volunteer in the shop helping them to build confidence, gain new skills and attend training. 10 people have moved on to full time, paid employment thanks to the support the pantry offers. The pantry holds cookery courses and demonstrations encouraging people to try new things and cook their own recipes from scratch, using all the ingredients from the pantry. The pantry has proved so successful we know how 4 shops across Stockport, supporting over 600 members and staffed by 35 volunteers.