New community pantry to help low income households opens in Bloxwich
A new community pantry has launched in Bloxwich to help residents reduce the cost of living. Located inside the Stan Ball Centre on Abbotts Street, the community pantry offers everyday essentials at reduced prices.
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A £2 annual membership is required to use the service and there is no eligibility criteria. So far there are 136 members.
Chief Executive of Bloxwich Community Partnership, Eleanor Boycott, said: “It’s a great offer to the local community. It was to address food poverty and the cost of living. People always need their money to go that little bit further, by shopping here for a few essential items it frees up their money for other things.”
Three more community pantries are expected to open in other locations across the borough later this year. One on Wilkes Avenue in Bentley, another in the Town Hall in Darlaston and a third in Blakenall where the location is yet to be confirmed.
Liza Jackson, Walsall Connected Partnership Manager, said: “We’re really excited to open to the public and take their feedback. To hear if they’re happy with the products, if it’s what they’re looking for, and it helps day-to-day with their cost of living.”
Walsall Council has put forward £200,000 in funding to support the community pantry schemes. Each facility will be staffed mainly by volunteers.
Other Walsall community organisations based in the East, South and West of the borough are encouraged to come forward to express interest in offering a similar service. The deadline to make representations is February 14, 2025.
Leader of Walsall Council, councillor Garry Perry, said: “The fact we’re going something different with the resources that we get is always a good thing. This was a vision of mine, and officers, last year, to support our most vulnerable residents. But also bring some dignity into the process.
“Not everybody wants something for free. They’re willing to pay but their money only goes a small way sometimes.”
The community pantry is just one of the many services offered at the Stan Ball Centre. Also available is the newly launched Home Hub teaching residents digital skills enabling them to live independently for longer, as well as craft, yoga, tai chi, art and seated exercise classes. There’s also support available for any resident needing assistance with accessing council services.
