The Horsforth Community Pantry opened its doors to members on Tuesday 02 July in a purpose-built shop and food store adjacent St James’ Woodside (Horsforth). Just one year after conversations between Nigel Sinclair and Jonathan Cain (the two vicars in the town), Claire Evans (the ABCD Community Builder for Horsforth) and local councillors, the Pantry opened to the delight of all involved. One Pantry member commented, “its just like shopping in M&S!”
The opening of the Horsforth Community Pantry is one legacy of the coronavirus pandemic, when the Horsforth Community Assets Project (HCAP) under the auspices of the Abbeylands Team – St Margaret’s, Horsforth – started a food project for vulnerable families. The food project has been through various incarnations, including a partnership with the Kirkstall Valley Development Trust (KVDT), but it has been a long-held ambition to find a permanent site for a pantry in Horsforth.
The Horsforth Community Pantry is a project that seeks to address financial inequality, which is an issue in stark relief in Horsforth. The Pantry will work with partner organisations (Children’s Services, the Children’s Centre, MHA Communities), who will refer individuals and families to the Community Pantry for support. The principal (in)equality issues that have been considered in the planning of the project are:
§ The affordability of weekly shopping for low-income families. The Pantry seeks to address this by providing groceries valued at c.£25 for the weekly membership fee of £6.
§ Poor access to transport for low-income families. The Pantry seeks to address this by providing a new location in the heart of the area of most deprivation in Horsforth (walking distance).
§ The desire for better-off families to help those struggling with the cost of living. The Pantry seeks to address this by a) providing volunteering/ befriending opportunities and b) providing a location to donate food that will go directly to low-income families in Horsforth.
On the opening day, Claire Evans said, “I can’t believe what we have achieved in just one year.”
During that year, plans were drawn up, planning permission obtained, funds raised and a building erected. The building was put together using largely volunteer labour from across churches in Horsforth and Leeds, and the facilities of another St James’/ Horsforth Churches Together Project, the Horsforth Shed.
Funds were donated by a series of organisations and individuals – it was a project that has really drawn people together. One of the donors, Foodsavers Network, continues to support the Pantry in operation, including the provision of credit union accounts for Pantry members.
“I am delighted that we can host the Horsforth Community Pantry at St James’ Woodside. It’s a great way to demonstrate the abundant generosity and love of God in our community.” Jonathan Cain, Vicar of St James’ Woodside.