Sainsbury's Hazel Grove

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.

The food justice network MCR is an organisation of community-minded volunteers that identify surplus food in our catchment and convert it into opportunity. Whether it's the simple act of making food available for those who want or need it, or underpinning community events with a good meal - food is an irreplaceable component of community. Instagram: foodjusticenetwork_mcr