A COMMUNITY pantry near Salisbury will be extending their opening hours at the end of the month due to an increase to its membership.

The Old Sarum and Longhedge Community Pantry, based at the Old Sarum Community Centre, will open its doors from 3.30pm to 6.30pm on Friday afternoons from January 31st.

Staff will provide simple hot meals whilst they are open.

The pantry saw more than 400 people sign up to its membership in 2024.

December 2024 saw their busiest day of the year with over fifty people through the door within an hour of opening.

They now have over 600 people subscribed to their membership, and 250 of their regular members are children who come with their parents and carers for the creative activities and holiday sessions the community pantry also organises.

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Nina Cope, a pantry project manager, said they would welcome new volunteers to help deal with the increased demand.

“Due to the recent growth in our membership, from two hundred at the end of 2023 to over six hundred in December 2024, we are on the hunt for more wonderful volunteers,” she said.

The times most needing support from volunteers are:

• Tuesdays – 7.30pm to 9.30pm
• Wednesdays – 8.45am to 12.45pm
• Fridays – 3pm to 6.45pm

More than just about reducing food waste

While its main objective is to help reduce food waste and to support people and families who are struggling through the current cost of living crisis, a range of services are on offer at the community pantry.

It provides a space where people who feel isolated or want to meet more of their community can come for a coffee and a chat, get guidance on where and who to turn to for advice on a range of problems, including housing, debt and finance matters.

The pantry gave the Old Sarum & Longhedge Community Centre a festive makeover in December, and more than seventy children saw Father Christmas in his grotto and received a present, a selection box and enjoyed activities and party food whilst they waited their turn.

A spokesperson said: “Every child at the community pantry received a present this year, guaranteeing that they all had something to open on Christmas morning.

“This was a big job wrapping around 400 presents but the local community rose to the challenge, meeting at the Salisbury FC to get the job done!”

In 2024 the pantry was supported by Spire Telecom Ltd, Acorn Community Bank, Salisbury FCand a host of businesses and supermarkets including Tesco, Waitrose and Marks & Spencers.

The pantry is based at Old Sarum Community Centre, Pheasant Drive, Salisbury, SP4 6GH.

For more information, contact oslpantry@gmail.com or call 07375 234957.