Community pantry opens in Mansbridge, Southampton

Not-for-profit Round About Café on Westfield Corner in Mansbridge introduced its new addition on Monday following a five-week refurbishment.

Community is at the heart of the cafe and staff and volunteers were keen to support those within the community with a foodbank alternative.

The new community pantry at the Round About Cafe in Mansbridge

Cafe supervisor Nigel Powney said: "During the first lockdown, there was a food bank here and we would receive over 30 food parcels for it each week.

"From that, we knew there would be a need for food, so we continued giving away food on a table for free.

"We were giving out food, for free, from FareShare and we kept that up. There was a need for it and people kept taking it.

Round About Cafe, cafe supervisor Nigel with the new community pantry in Mansbridge

"We wanted to see what we could do to enhance this, so we closed the cafe for five weeks and did a complete refurbishment and introduced the pantry.

"The more people who sign up means we can up the amount we receive from FareShare and do more to reduce food waste. It’s really exciting."

Since Monday, 31 people have already signed up for membership, which only costs £1 a year.

Customers can then choose either 10 items for £3.50, or 15 items for £5, and anyone with an SO postcode can join.

Stephanie Dutton, Community Investment Team Leader at Abri, which supports the cafe, said: "We know this is an area of low income and poverty, and this is about bridging the gap between a foodbank and the community.

"We are reducing that stigma of going to a foodbank and customers feel a bit more dignified.

"It’s really about getting our name out there and we’re hoping more people will come in to use the pantry. We want to open it up to everybody in Southampton and when people come in to get their food, they can meet other people and even volunteer.

"It opens up that social element."

Customers can download a membership form at abri.co.uk or visit the cafe to sign up.