Posted:
Friday - July 1, 2022
10:59 am
The Your Local Pantry – Brasshouse opened in 2020 to help relieve food poverty in the local community, as the COVID19 pandemic was further highlighting the impact that food poverty was having on local people. It is an initiative of the North Smethwick Development Trust, whose members work with locals to provide support and make their community thrive. Jennifer Harrison is the Chief Executive Officer from North Smethwick Development Trust, the Brasshouse Pantry is managed by Liane Smith (Community Food Hub Manager) and she manages Janine, who is a Volunteer.
The Charity has four ambitions, health and wellbeing, reducing poverty (and its impacts), supporting children and young people, and to be proud of the community. The Charity’s work with Fareshare completely embodies its journey to meet those ambitions and Janine’s story is a prime example of that. Though support from Fareshare, the Charity is able to support 65 local community members each week though their food provision programme.
Jenn asked Janine to talk to FareShare Midlands about her situation and the difference that the food makes. Janine has five children with additional needs and has really struggled, particularly during COVID19. She now helps and supports others in a similar situation. Janine says she cannot give her money, but she can give her time. Janine tells these people about the Pantry and FareShare and often collects surplus food on our behalf.
Janine said “The Pantry doesn’t just provide food; it offers clothes such as fleeces and school jumpers. Sometimes there are craft activity packs with art stuff, pencils, papers – things to keep the children occupied, hygiene and household items too. There are also workshops – it is a one-stop shop for local people in need.
Times have been really hard, especially through Lockdown. I have five children – the oldest is 18 and the youngest is 6. Three of them have additional needs. The 6 year old is going forward for assessment, so then I will have 4 with additional needs. It’s not easy.
Some of the social events held at the Pantry I don’t go to, because I have to make the choice between doing things and going places, and what we can have as a family. You don’t want to let people know how hard things are, because you feel a bit of shame.
Jenn always says you don’t need to struggle, she can help – and she does. She is so busy but she always gives her time and support.
I don’t think people realise the difference that the food from FareShare makes to a family like mine.
For instance, I get disability allowance for my two boys. Without that money, we would struggle so much more financially. My eldest son has ADHD and the youngest has ADHD, autism and dyspraxia. He needs to be constantly on the go. His shoes and clothes do not last – he damages them. Things have to be replaced and the money just disappears. I have to take him to activities to give him an outlet, which means cutting back on other things. I go without new shoes or clothes - I feel I have to.
Food is difficult. I have changed the way that I shop because it just wasn’t feasible or affordable. The food from FareShare really helps because you can have what you need. It’s a lifeline.”
The Pantry has had a huge impact in the community; it has helped to really transform members’ health by introducing nutritious food that is otherwise too expensive for people to buy. With Fareshare food deliveries, some members have stated that before joining, they couldn’t afford to eat balanced meals and as a result of the Pantry, that has now improved.
Jenn confirmed that one member quoted before signing up to the Pantry “I was only able to have one to two meals a day and now I’m able to have three meals daily. It also made me appreciate food, learn how to cook and not to waste food”.Furthermore, the Pantry acts as a link to getting people support; the Charity manages the Brasshouse Community Centre where wraparound services take place to support families and individuals living and working in the community. The environmental impact of ensuring less food goes to landfill and encouraging volunteering both makes North Smethwick a place to truly be proud of.
