A new mobile community pantry van completed its first journey through Bracknell on Tuesday 9 April. The pantry aims to support residents in the Bracknell area who are struggling with the cost of living, giving them easy access to food for a fraction of the cost of supermarkets.
The mobile pantry, which has been made possible by housing provider Abri, is housed inside a specially fitted-out van and will regularly visit locations where food bank demand is highest. As well as providing low-cost food, an Abri tenancy sustainment officer was on board to signpost the community to financial support and resources.
The mobile pantry’s first visit was a success: six customers signed up for a membership and purchased items, with many others stopping by to find out more and chat with Abri colleagues.
Dave, an Abri customer said:
“The Mobile Community Pantry is a very good idea. For retired people, or people who are a bit cash strapped, it's wonderful. And all the staff are really friendly and helpful - really nice people.”
Councillor Tricia Brown, Bracknell Forest Council (Priestwood & Garth) was also there to celebrate the first trip.
Councillor Tricia Brown, Priestwood & Garth said:
“I'm very pleased to see that the mobile community pantry has made its first ever stop in my patch in Rookswood, it’s had a great response. It's not just for Abri customers, it is for the whole community which is brilliant as there are so many people who need the help.
“To be able to come here and buy affordable food and essentials, get help with benefits, find out information and more is really good. Abri is here to help, which is amazing.”
The van can be found every Tuesday at:
- 12.30pm to 12.45pm: Rookswood, Priestwood
- 1.15pm to 1.30pm: Deepdale, Wildridings
- 2pm to 2.15pm: Ladybank, Birch Hill
- 2.45pm to 3pm: Wordsworth, Great Hollands
Membership to the pantry is open to the whole community and costs £1 a year. With their membership, customers can choose to purchase either 10 items for £3.50, or 15 items for £5. Customers can sign up on the day and the food is distributed on a first come, first served basis.
Dasos Christou, Abri’s Regional Managing Director for the south east, said:
“I was delighted to be able to attend the successful launch of the mobile pantry in Bracknell this week. It is such a fantastic initiative that benefits the whole community in the areas we operate in.
“With the cost of living still being so high it’s important we do what we can to help and the residents I spoke to were very positive about the pantry and said they would be coming back every week. I can’t wait to see more residents benefitting from this as word-of-mouth spreads and it continues to support our communities.”
This is the second mobile community pantry Abri has set up to support its customers with the cost of living. Other help with weekly shopping includes the Roundabout café pantry in Southampton, and the Café 1759 pantry in Whitehill and Bordon. Abri also supports the Longhedge community pantry in Salisbury, and the Chard community pantry.