Salisbury residents getting extra food support through new city pantry
It's open one day a week to help those who need it
The Salisbury Pantry has now opened up in the city, helping struggling people and families.
Set up by Salisbury City Council, people can sign up to be members then pay £5 per visit, but they can select up to £35 worth of food to take home with them.
The groceries are sourced from a number of places including Fareshare, UK Harvest and donations from local supermarkets Tesco, Tesco Metro and Waitrose.
The pantry was originally operating out of the Friary Community Centre and Bemerton Heath Centre, however has now moved into a new permanent home in Catherine Street.
Memberships are open to any residents of Salisbury who are in receipt of benefits, on a low wage or struggling to buy food or pay bills towards the end of the month and so far they have had around 80 people sign up.
Some members have said:
"This is only my 5th week as a member and I have been able to pay my council tax in full already. You sometimes have to choose which bills you pay and this means there are less hard choices"
"We are on some hard times, I got referred by a friend. I just feel so grateful"
"It looks so good. I didn't realise it would be a proper shop. It feels good that you have made it like this, for us."
"It looks amazing, it has been amazing. It's been a tough year but I would love to volunteer here now. It would be a really good focus for me."
Wiltshire Community Foundation helped the project get up and running originally, they have since also granted £20,000 to help fit out the pantry.
Anyone looking to sign up to the scheme can do so by emailing salisburypantry@salisburycitycouncil.gov.uk.
Alternatively you can visit the Pantry on Catherine Street between it's opening hours of 10am-3pm every Tuesday.