Mobile Pantry scheme launched in West Derby
A new mobile community pantry service to tackle food poverty was launched in West Derby today, 30th October. The mobile scheme is run by Fans Supporting Foodbanks (FSF) and it is the first of its kind in the UK. It was launched today at St Mary's Millennium centre, attached to St Mary's Church in West Derby village, and is one of seven sites across the city that the FSF mobile pantry van will visit in coming weeks.
Liverpool West Derby MP and co-founder of FSF Ian Byrne, said: "We've launched the first mobile food pantry and I’m delighted that it's at the Millennium Centre at St Mary's Church in West Derby. I'm extremely proud of where Fans Supporting Foodbanks has come in the past five years. We were collecting food in a wheelie bin outside Anfield and Goodison Park and now we have the huge asset of a mobile pantry van, which will provide a big boost to many people in our community and throughout the city."
Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, FSF volunteers were collecting a tonne of food per game from generous football fans before Everton and Liverpool home matches. The collections ran for 233 consecutive games until lockdown hit in March this year.
Dave Kelly, FSF co-founder, said: “Five years ago, people using foodbanks tended to be on zero-hour contracts, in low-paid jobs, earning minimum wage or on Universal Credit. Those people still use foodbanks, and we will continue to help them, but now we are seeing foodbank users who didn't use or need a foodbank previously but because of furlough and job losses their circumstances have changed.
"This pantry is the correct route to go down because it enables us to engage and empower local communities. The mobile pantry idea is about challenging food insecurity and we're doing something a bit different than a foodbank. We can go into communities where there are no supermarkets or choice, and people can pick up food of high nutritional value."
Kevin Peacock, chief executive of St Andrew's Community Network, added: "We've run North Liverpool Foodbank for 10 years now to help people with emergency provision. We know a lot of people don't want that three-day hand out; they want something longer-term and more sustainable, something they are prepared to pay into and get a choice. This facility makes this possible.”
The Mobile Pantry is situated at The Millennium Centre in the grounds of St Mary's Church, West Derby Village. It is there every Friday from 10am-12pm and you can join on the day or via www.yourlocalpantry.co.uk. It costs £3.50 per week and this will enable you to get at least £15 worth of ambient, fresh, frozen and chilled produce. As part of your membership you are encouraged to take as much fresh fruit and vegetables as you need.