This Friday, September 6th, is National Food Bank Day. It’s a great time to acknowledge the fantastic work of food banks and pantries nationwide. In Sheffield, places like the S12 Community Pantry at Scowerdons Community Centre are making a big difference by providing affordable food and a welcoming community space, and today, ShefFood would like to highlight their fantastic work.
While food banks are often at the forefront of conversations about food insecurity, they aren’t the only resource available to those in need. Food pantries, like the S12 Community Pantry, offer an alternative model for accessing food. A food pantry is a membership-based food club where members can shop for groceries at a free or reduced price. This model gives individuals and families greater choice and dignity, allowing them to select the items they need most while benefiting from reduced costs. At S12, their food pantry service is free, with reduced-cost options for toiletries called ‘The Trolley of Luxuries’ and their £3 Pickup bags, which feature a range of fresh and dried goods.
National Food Bank Day, marked annually on the first Friday of September, serves as a reminder that hunger remains a pressing issue in our society. The day honours the volunteers, social workers, and charities who work tirelessly to ensure no one goes to bed hungry and highlights the importance of food banks and food pantries in this ongoing effort. In Sheffield, the S12 Community Pantry has become one of many organisations in the city that is addressing food insecurity, and its work deserves recognition.
Located in the heart of the Scowerdons Community Centre on Wickfield Grove, the S12 Community Pantry is more than just a food bank. It’s a place where dignity, compassion, and community come together. Open every Tuesday, the pantry offers various services designed to support the local community in more ways than one.
At its core, the S12 Community Pantry provides surplus food to those in need, helping to alleviate the burden of grocery costs for families and individuals. However, the pantry’s mission goes beyond just providing food. It’s about building a community where everyone feels welcome, supported, and valued.
“We’ve always believed that our pantry should be more than just a place to pick up groceries,” says Jayne, one of the pantry’s co-founders. “It’s about creating a space where people can come, sit, have a chat, and feel like they’re part of something bigger. We want to build trust, listen to what people actually need, and offer them the support they deserve.”
The past year has seen a significant increase in the number of people turning to food banks and food pantries for support, and S12 Community Pantry is no exception. The pantry has continuously adapted to meet this growing demand, introducing new initiatives like Holiday Bags, which are specifically designed to support families with school-aged children during the holidays. These bags, filled with essentials and treats, are provided free of charge, with no referral necessary.
Jayne, Caron(The other co-founder of the pantry), and their team are constantly seeking feedback from both volunteers and service users to ensure that the pantry is meeting the community’s needs. “We’re always learning and looking for ways to improve,” they explaind. “We ask for feedback regularly and make changes based on what people tell us. It’s important to us that we’re providing what people actually need, not just what we think they need.” This approach has helped the pantry build strong relationships within the community, fostering a sense of trust and reliability. Many of the pantry’s volunteers have been with them from the very beginning, and their dedication is evident in the success of the pantry’s operations.
Running a food pantry is not without its challenges. From navigating the complexities of food regulations and health and safety protocols to securing enough funding and food supplies, the S12 Community Pantry faces its fair share of obstacles. “There’s a lot of paperwork and bureaucracy involved,” the team admits. “For just a few hours of operation each week, there’s a huge amount of admin to manage – risk assessments, record-keeping, ensuring we meet food safety standards – it’s a lot, but it’s necessary to keep everyone safe.”
Despite these challenges, the pantry has managed to thrive, thanks in large part to the resilience and commitment of its volunteers. However, there have been times when food supplies from supermarkets have been low, leaving the team feeling disheartened. “There have been weeks where we just didn’t get as much food as we needed,” says Caron. “It’s tough, but we keep going because we know how much people rely on us.”
One of the unique aspects of the S12 Community Pantry is its strong network of partnerships within the Sheffield community. Working alongside other local organisations like Beighton Lifestyle, The Link, and Westfield, the pantry is part of a broader effort to create a hub of support for people across the city. These partnerships allow the pantry to refer people to other services when needed, ensuring that no one slips through the cracks.
In addition to its food distribution services, the pantry also operates a warm space and social café where people can enjoy free refreshments and connect with others in their community. This social aspect is crucial in combating the isolation that many people feel, especially during difficult times.
On National Food Bank Day, let’s recognise the important work of food banks like S12 Community Pantry. They need our support through donations, volunteering, or spreading the word to make a difference in the fight against hunger. You can email [email protected]
