Dignified food pantry offering dignified support to community in Parr

As reported in the government's Index of Deprivation in 2019, Parr contains some neighbourhoods that are in the top 5% and 1% most deprived across the entire country.

In the years that have followed the government report, the pandemic, cost of living crisis, and government cuts have intensified the issues that are common in areas of high deprivation, such as food insecurity, financial worries, social isolation, and mental health challenges.

However, despite these challenges, there are people working tirelessly to support those struggling in Parr, as evidenced by a food pantry that has had a huge response in the community.

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Inside the Derbyshire Hill Family Centre food pantry (Image: St Helens Star) Launching at Derbyshire Hill Family Centre in late August, the food pantry offers the people of Parr a wide range of high-quality food options for just five pounds.

Set up slightly differently to a food bank, the layout of the pantry resembles a shop or supermarket, and offers people long lasting foods such as soups and cereals, as well as meat options, frozen goods, snacks, home goods, and pet food.

Designed to give users more choice, more options, and more dignity, people have been blown away by the response the pantry has had with users and volunteers.

The pantry has a 'hearts and diamonds' method to fill up with a varied shop (Image: St Helens Star) Cath Brooks, who runs the food pantry in association with the Torus Foundation, said: "Although there are other food pantrys across the borough, we definitely felt that there was the need for one in Parr, and we have had amazing feedback so far.

"The main thing that people love about it is that it gives them more dignity and more choice, because it looks just like a little shop.

"Our volunteers have been amazing too and it's great because lots of them have used our services such as the Warm Hub and food bank, and now they want to give something back and help others."

There are also home goods and pet food on offer at the pantry (Image: St Helens Star) One of the other people who has been instrumental in setting up the food pantry is Parr councillor Bisi Osundeko, who is also one the directors at Derbyshire Hill Family Centre.

Cllr Osundeko said: "I think there were a few worries about the usage and volunteer levels at first, but we have started on a very, very good note.

"We have had up to 40 people using the food pantry on some weeks, and this has given us a very good base to build on as I'm sure the demand will increase as we get further into the winter months.

"As someone who has experienced food poverty, this is something I am very passionate about combatting and I am really proud of the success we have made so far."

Bisi (second right) and the pantry volunteers (Image: St Helens Star) With a "sense of community" being fostered between the volunteers and users of the food pantry, Cllr Osundeko said that the project is something that showcases the best of Parr, and can help to change perceptions about the area.

"It's more than just the food here, we have built a community between the volunteers and the people using the food pantry", Cllr Osundeko added.

"You can see the pride and sense of ownership that the volunteers have with this project, because they are doing something for their community, and there is a real sense of community here.

"I really believe that this shows the best of our area, and there is lots to shout about Parr.

"I'm not saying everything is perfect, and there are challenges that we need to tackle, but we are very asset rich in Parr, because there are so many people who work to help others and have a sense of pride in their area."

Parr's food pantry can be found at Derbyshire Hill Family Centre every Tuesday, from 1pm until 3pm. The centre's warm hub continues to operate every Wednesday from 10am, while a separate food bank operates from Sexton Avenue Community Allotment on Wednesdays.

The pantry is housed inside Derbyshire Hill food pantry every Tuesday from 1pm util 3pm (Image: St Helens Star)