If you are struggling during the cost of living crisis, we may be able to help. Our Community Pantry offers a wide variety of food items, including jars, tins, packets, and toiletries. For just £2, you can choose 15 items to take home. This service is made possible by the generous contributions of our corporate sponsors: Aldi, Lidl, M&S, Co-op, and Sainsbury’s.
Our next Community Pantry day will be listed on our Events page as soon as we have a date arranged and published on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
“The Community Pantry has given me and my family a hot meal“
History of our Community Pantry
YMCA Taunton’s Community Pantry emerged during the 2020 lockdown, evolving from doorstep food deliveries across 94 square miles to a monthly food pantry for all. This initiative has grown to serve more people in the wider community, which supports not only the individual, but their families too.
By collaborating with 6 local supermarkets, who generously provide food, we have developed a unique model that leverages community resources and volunteer efforts. This addresses immediate food insecurity but also fosters a sense of community and shared responsibility.
“I’m currently on maternity leave, partner works two jobs and bills are just ridiculous! So the extra food helped feed my family”
- Affordable Access: For a nominal fee of £2, individuals can select 15 items from our pantry. This initiative ensures that everyone, regardless of their financial situation, can access nutritious food.
- Comprehensive Support: In addition to food, we also offer essential toiletries and personal care items, recognising the holistic needs of our community members.
- Inclusivity: Our services are open to all, ensuring no one is excluded from accessing basic necessities.
Helping the Community
Over the past year, we have helped more than 600 individuals (and their families) during challenging times. Each month our Community Pantry helps around 50-70 people, showcasing the significant reach and benefit of our services.
“The pantry has been a great help giving basics, plus a few luxuries and also trying something new”
Our success is deeply rooted in our partnerships with local stakeholders, fellow charities and the tireless efforts of our volunteers. These collaborations have allowed us to continuously collect and distribute vital resources, ensuring sustainability and responsiveness to the evolving needs of our community.
- Reduced Food Insecurity: By providing affordable and accessible food options, we have alleviated food worries for many families.
- Improved Wellbeing: Access to nutritious food and essential items has directly contributed to the overall health and wellbeing of our community members. We have also linked the pantry to our work with the National Grid and distributed ‘warm and welcoming’ packs to attendees.
- Strengthened Community Ties: The Pantry has become a community hub, fostering connections and mutual support. For example, local members of the public will invariably offer food donations when they see our socials about the event.
- Community Collaboration: We work closely with other charities including Fareshare, Neighbourly, Open Door, and ARC, to ensure that no food goes to waste and help is spread throughout the community.
- Inspired Community Action: One of our regular user groups, Achieve Day Support, raised money with their own charitable efforts to support additional people at the Community Pantry by paying the £2 on their behalf, and also donated vouchers at Christmas.
Our Community Pantry is more than just a food service; it is a lifeline that has innovatively addressed food insecurity, inspired community action, and significantly enhanced the health and wellbeing of our community.
“It’s allowed me to top up my gas and electric”