DROITWICH Community Pantry has received a High Sheriff’s award for its outstanding contribution to the local community.
The scheme is staffed by a dedicated team of around 20 volunteers and trustees who receive up to 18 pallets of food which would otherwise be destined for landfill or incineration.
From this, food parcels are made up for people and families and the pantry helps other local food charities and five or six schools.
The impact is far-reaching with some travelling from as far afield as Evesham to collect parcels. The pantry also regularly helps Droitwich and Worcester Police with parcels for people who cannot afford to eat as this deters shoplifting.
The pantry currently helps more than 150 families every week and, at a time when so many are suffering food poverty, its maximum number was 224 parcels.
Easy access
The Community Pantry, contrary to common misconceptions, is not a foodbank. Its aim is to help anyone in need and people do not need a referral – all they need to do is book a slot via the app (more details can be found on the Facebook page).
The pantry is open every Wednesday between midday and 6pm and everyone is welcome.
With the increased quantities of donated food and parcels now being put together, the community pantry is in desperate need of a new van and new volunteers on a Monday and Tuesday afternoon and all-day Wednesday would be welcomed.
How it all began
Droitwich Community Pantry was set up by Ashlea Stone in 2018 and started in the Barn on Chawson.
Since then it has moved several times for operational reasons or situations beyond its control.
To increase capacity amidst an rising demand, everything has been brought together in a new unit on the Berry Hill Industrial Estate.
This enabled the project to be co-located with its large fridge and freezer and distribution can be done from the unit.
The majority of donations come from Dean Attwell at Oaklands, which the management and volunteers are very thankful for, but the pantry is always looking for other donations to allow it to help more people.
The pantry also had to undergo an EHO audit which it passed with flying colours, receiving a five-star rating.
The High Sheriff of Worcestershire, Charles Moyle JP, visited the pantry and presented three awards – one collective and two personal accolades.
He was surprised the scheme was self-funded and achieved such a professional set-up, helping so many people and charities in the area and improving the lives of so many struggling families.
Darren Wheeley, trustee and pantry manager, thanked Charles for his visit.
He said: “It meant so much to everyone involved in with the project and made all of the efforts of volunteers and the management team worthwhile.
“I personally find it very rewarding helping so many people in need and putting something back into the community we all live in – something I believe has been lost over the years.
“It is a great honour to have taken the pantry forward to where we are at now and we are still continuing to look at growing the charity and help even more people.”
Anyone interested in getting involved by volunteering or businesses with surplus food which could be redistributed should email [email protected] for more information.
