St Bart’s Local Pantry and Allens Cross Community Garden

Community volunteer services are more important than ever, and that is especially true of St Bart’s Local Pantry at Allens Cross Community Centre.

The pantry requires a subscription of £5 a week to residents who live within five miles of Allens Cross.

In return, members can access high-quality food of their choice once a week. The service offers excellent value for money to people who are trying to make ends meet.

I was grateful for the chance to visit yesterday and talk to pantry members and volunteers. It was clear that the pantry provides a lifeline and an essential social space.

Like similar organisations, the pantry relies on donations of money and suitable food. You can read more about the pantry here and on Facebook.

I also had a chance to look at the brilliant community garden. Converted from an old playground, the garden offers a range of educational visits for local schools, as well as producing fresh food.

It is hard to do justice to the full range of services on offer. A number of pantry members raised specific issues, and as MP I would want to work closely with the pantry and similar services to improve access to casework support.