A FOOD pantry in Droitwich is trying to keep up with the ‘shocking’ rise in demand for its services after allocated time slots to collect food parcels vanish within minutes of being released.
Droitwich Community Pantry was helping 50 families in the community when it first started before Covid but is now feeding 170 families on a weekly basis.
To deal with the rising number of people needing the charity, the pantry has even set up a cancellation waiting list where families who unfortunately missed out on a slot can have the chance to collect a parcel.
Kay Ramsden with some of the collection at the Community Food Pantry and Fridge. Picture by Marcus Mingins 5022011MMR1 copyright Bullivant Media
Tonia Shadforth, Droitwich Community Pantry manager, said: “It is awful people are going without this support, and we wish we could do more.
“We could do more if we had more donations, more volunteers, more time, and more space, but we can only do what we can.
“We hate having a cancellation list each week as everyone who comes to pick up that parcel really needs it.”
The charity aims to give a food parcel to any families struggling – without referrals needed – with the ask of a £3 donation to help the pantry buy more food to keep up with demand.
One regular pantry user, an NHS nurse who reached out after the death of her parents, said: “I have two kids, I work so many hours – I literally could not work any more than I am – I’m a single mum supporting a family on my own with the rising costs.
“We would not be eating if it was not for the pantry, and they are always there for you, even if it is not food related.
“I would not manage without them.”
The charity is now set to relocate to Ombersley Farmshop to help feed more people by opening on two days.
Trustee Kay Ramsden said with more volunteers and donations it could reach out to double the 170 families it currently helps.
Volunteers Sally Davies and Zoe Fletcher get wrapping presents. Picture by Marcus Mingins 5022011MMR2 copyright Bullivant Media
“People are almost really reliant on this, and it is between people getting a food parcel and not being able to feed their family.”
For Christmas, the charity has collected and wrapped presents for struggling families.
Visit this story at droitwichstandard.co.uk or email [email protected] to donate and [email protected] to register to volunteer.
