The Local Pantry, Rowbarton

02/11/2023

It has been a long time since we posted on the site, but we are pleased to be part of the Somerset Local Pantry Network that was awarded the FareShare South West's Impact Award for Community and Sustainability.
Rowbarton congratulates all the Pantries within the Network for their hard work and dedication and also to Helen for her endless support to us all.

The Somerset Local Pantry Network wins food resilience award

The Somerset Local Pantry Network (SLPN) has won FareShare South West’s Social Impact Award for Community and Sustainability.

Food charity FareShare South West launched their Social Impact Awards this year, and SLPN have won the Community and Sustainability category for the innovative ways the network utilises food for community resilience.

SLPN consists of nine local pantries who buy and collect surplus food and make it available to members for a low weekly fee, which helps reduce food waste, feed families and save them money.

An awards evening took place in Bristol, where representatives from East Bridgwater and Minehead Area Pantries and Somerset Council accepted a glass trophy and certificate on behalf of the whole Network. FareShare South West are also gifting each pantry an electric hand blender.

Cllr Theo Butt Philip, Lead Member for Transformation and Human Resources, said: “What a wonderful result! We entered the Network into these awards because we know what incredible work the pantries do for their communities.

“Each pantry is run by volunteers, so winning this award demonstrates their commitment to building resilient and sustainable communities, and I’m proud they’ve got the recognition they deserve – congratulations!

“I would like to thank our Council officers who support the SLPN - I know they enjoy working with the pantries and are always there as a helping hand when needed.”

Roni Adjei, Head of Region at FareShare South West, said: “I would like to laud the innovative way the network of local pantries in Somerset have approached supporting their communities and tackling hunger.

“The achievement of the Network so far should form an effective blueprint for other local authorities and community initiatives to follow. Well done to everyone involved.”

04/03/2023

24/12/2022

We wish all our members, volunteers and surplus suppliers a Very Happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year.

25/11/2022

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=512484360908938&id=100064421363095&sfnsn=scwspmo

25/10/2022

We attended the "Make a Difference Award" dinner and were delighted to have been nominated. Even though we were not a winner in our category, everyone who was there that night and were nominated were winners. The amount of work and initiatives to help others was outstanding and a privilege to be part of.
Thank you to the whole team that is The Local Pantry Rowbarton for all your hard work.

02/09/2022

01/09/2022

SWTC Hardship Fund 2022/23 opens Thursday 01 September
SWTC have launched a Hardship Fund which is a means tested benefit available for application by eligible low-income households in Somerset West and Taunton.
Citizens’ Advice Taunton and West Somerset Advice will use the fund to provide financial assistance to a maximum of £200.00 to low-income households in Somerset West and Taunton during 2022/23. This fund is not available for food or fuel/energy payments.
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for this one-off grant applicants must:
• Be a permanent resident in Somerset West and Taunton
• Be over the age of 16 and living independently of parents or carers
• Be on a low income-threshold to be determined on assessment
• Be unable to pay for essentials due to lack of sufficient funds
• Having exhausted recourse to:
 Local assistance scheme
 Surviving winter fund
 Foodbanks
 Any other assistance scheme for which they might be eligible
Following evidence will be required:
• proof of identity
• proof of age
• proof of residency in Somerset West and Taunton
• proof of income - bank statement (no older than previous month)
• proof of need – what the grant is needed for

Geographical coverage
Grants will not be ring fenced geographically within SWT, but scheduled monitoring will flag irregularities to indicate an uneven spread of beneficiaries between localities.

This is the link for the form on the Citizens’ Advice Taunton website:
https://citizensadvicetaunton.org.uk/hardship-fund/

This is the link for the form on West Somerset Advice website (scroll to bottom of page):
https://www.westsomersetadvice.org.uk

The Hardship Fund is provided by Somerset West and Taunton Council and is for financial support to households on means tested benefits struggling with household essentials.