Caremark Cheltenham & Tewkesbury donates much needed provisions to the Cornerstone Centre’s Food Pantry – Part 2
When hearing about the Cornerstone Centre’s Food Pantry project, Mike Folkes, our Director, wanted Caremark Cheltenham and Tewkesbury to help by donating. He wanted to help this much deserving community project. It has always been Mike’s aim since joining Caremark to give back to the community.
Therefore, Mike and Beth, on behalf of Caremark Cheltenham & Tewkesbury, donated a trolley full of provisions in October. This included food and much needed personal household and hygiene items.
What is the Food Pantry?
This Food Pantry is part of the #FeedCheltenham scheme. The scheme is supported by the YMCA, and there are 6 food pantries in Cheltenham. You can see where they are located here https://ymcacheltenham.com/feedcheltenham/
Some visitors to the pantry come every week, some at the end of the month and some attend only in emergency situations. For example, when they have to spend their food money on urgent car repairs. #FeedCheltenham works to support local families with food insecurities.
We talked to Alison, the manager of the Cornerstone Centre, and she explained that its not just about offering the services. The Centre also tries to understand what is bringing people to the pantry and why the community is suffering from financial insecurity.
Visitors suffer with food insecurities due to a number of reasons. They may suffer from addiction, poor mental health or be in debt, in an abusive relationship or suffering financial abuse. Alison added that on top of these issues, there is also the increase in the cost of living. This is putting a strain on the community’s financial security.
To help with these issues, the centre offers a safe space for visitors to meet the much needed service providers. These include housing, the Listening Post, Teams in Crisis, the Citizen Advice Bureau …. and the list goes on.
40% of the food comes from donations from supermarkets. For example, Morrisons pack up food/household bags in their supermarkets that people can add to their trollies whilst doing their shop. This is an amazing service because the Food Pantry can make special requests for items they are running short of and Morrisons will make an effort to supply these in the bags.
Local supermarkets also provide food that is past their “best before date” such as fruit, vegetables and bread. However, these donations vary in size from week to week. Other donations come from local schools, churches and community groups.