The Heart of Tamworth charity has been handed £1,000 to help stock up its new community pantry which is due to open later this month.
The shop, which is three times bigger than the existing facility, will offer a lifeline to a growing number of local families struggling to put food on the table.
The money has come from Tamworth Co-op’s Cash in the Bag scheme which redistributes the proceeds from sales of plastic carrier bags to good causes – with £12,500 being split between 16 community groups in 2024.
The pantry, based at the Sacred Heart Community Centre in Silver Link Road is used by around 150 people a week, including those on benefits and others on low incomes.
Pictured in front of the new community pantry are (l-r): Heart of Tamworth operations manager Jennifer Martin, Tamworth Co-op business support manager Julie Gasper, shop volunteer Jane Stacey and Catherine Smith, chair of the Heart of Tamworth trustees.
A bag of shopping costs £5, with a range of fresh, chilled, frozen, tinned and packet food on offer to customers.
Catherine Smith, chair of the Heart of Tamworth trustees, said the new pantry will provide a greatly enhanced shopping environment, as well as larger quantities of affordable food.
“The pandemic highlighted the extent of food poverty and then the cost-of-living crisis came along like a juggernaut. Many people are struggling to pay for food in this country and we have seen that here. The need has never gone away – in fact it’s even greater now.
“Increasingly, we’re getting working people coming along to the shop, as well as those on benefits. Many are on zero hours contracts and finding it hard to pay their bills.
“We are very grateful indeed for this donation from the Tamworth Co-op.”
In addition to buying its own stock, HoT receives surplus food donated by supermarkets and other businesses. Dedicated volunteers collect the supplies, often after the stores close, to keep the community pantry’s shelves filled.
Tamworth Co-op business support manager Julie Gasper said: “It’s a pleasure to be able to help an organisation which is carrying out such fantastic work in our community. Hearing about all the work they do to alleviate poverty and isolation is humbling.”
The Heart of Tamworth charity also runs a café, along with a host of other services and activities, at its main community hub in Glascote and St John’s Church in the town centre.
The improved community pantry will be officially opened on April 27, together with a pre-loved clothes shop.
Donations of food are always needed and can be taken to the community hub in Glascote.
For more information visit www.heartoftamworth.org