M&S Stockport Retail Park

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.

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.

The project is an environmentally focused food surplus redistribution initiative operating across South Manchester. The project's primary purpose is to prevent food waste by redistributing good-quality surplus food that would otherwise go to landfill, delivering clear environmental benefits while also supporting good-quality surplus food that would otherwise go to landfill, delivering clear environmental benefits while also supporting the wider community during the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. The initiative operates on an open and inclusive basis, with no referral requirements, assessments or eligibility criteria. Food is shared openly to ensure surplus is used efficiently and responsibly, regardless of background or circumstances. This is non-discriminatory approach allows the project to remain focused on waste prevention while offering practical support to anyone seeking to reduce food waste and household food costs. The project is supported by volunteers from all walks of life, including professionals and warm-hearted local parents, who work together to collect, sort and redistribute surplus food. This diverse volunteer base reflects the community-led nature of the initiative and supports its ongoing operation. All food is redistributed free of charge. The project does not charge for its services and does not operate as a commercial or profit-making model.