Abri, a leading housing provider, has partnered with local organisation Chard Community Hub to expand the growth and impact of its local mobile pantry service that covers Chard, Crewkerne and the surrounding area. This partnership will ensure more customers struggling with the cost of living can access affordable, good-quality food.
Since the launch of the mobile pantry in June 2023, the Chard mobile pantry has grown to have more than 80 members. Over this time period, it has provided 1,400 bags of food saving customers approximately £16,000 and preventing 7,910kg of food going to landfill. Customers have reported that financial challenges are the biggest reason that they use the mobile pantry.
Membership to the pantry costs £1 a year, and customers can choose either a 10-item shop for £3.50, or 15 items for £5.
One customer who uses the pantry commented: “Introducing the mobile community pantry was a good innovation and it’s helping all the Abri customers who use it.” Another said: “I am disabled and live at the top of a hill, so the pantry takes some of the strain away. The organisers are really lovely and considerate. I appreciate any help I can get.”
Chard Community Hub took over the day-to-day running of the pantry on 13 October and took it out into the community for the first time that day. Abri will continue to contribute to and support the running of the Chard mobile community pantry service.
Kieran Jones, Community Investment Area Manager at Abri, said:
“I’m delighted to have handed over the Chard and Crewkerne mobile community pantry to Chard Community Hub. Having helped so many people over the two years it’s been running, passing it on to a well-respected local organisation will ensure the service can reach even more communities, explore new opportunities and offer greater choice for its members.”
Chard Community Hub was set up in 2022 to provide a safe and inclusive space where the community of Chard can connect with their neighbours, encouraging a sense of local pride. It is a well-integrated organisation that already offers a wide range of support services, including a static community pantry and community fridge. The partnership between Abri and the Chard Community Hub provides a great opportunity to expand the support offered by the mobile community pantry, delivering the service in new locations and to more people.
Now fully up-and-running, Chard Community Hub are taking the van out into the community every Monday following this schedule:
- Bishop’s Court, Chard: 12.30pm - 1pm
- Scout Hut, Crewkerne: 2pm – 2.15pm
- Barn close, Crewkerne: 2.30pm – 2.24pm
- Bowheyes Lodge, Crewkerne: 3pm – 3.15pm
- Severalls road, Crewkerne: 3.30pm – 3.45pm
Serena Wootten, Chair of Chard Community Hub, said:
“At Chard Community Hub, we’re proud to have taken on the day-to-day running of the mobile community pantry. We’ve seen first-hand the positive impact that easy access to affordable, good quality food has had on so many local people over the last two years.
“With Abri handing the mobile community pantry over to us, we’re well positioned to take advantage of this opportunity and build on the success its already achieved, reaching more people and families in Chard, Crewkerne and the other surrounding villages. If you are interested in a becoming a member of this project or supporting it as a volunteer please email secretary@chardcommunityhub.com or call 01460 923149.”
