Wednesday, 21 December 2022 15:53

A community pantry has officially reopened in Stalybridge, which will be the only foodbank or pantry open 24 hours a day over winter in Greater Manchester.

The Power of Resilience 24/7 community pantry is a free to use resource which has been part-funded over the coming 10 weeks by Tameside Council through its Winter Pressures Fund.

People can pop along and take up to five items.

It's based at 137 Stamford Street in Stalybridge, where a special reopening event was held on Wednesday afternoon (21 December).

Julie Mallinson, Executive Director at The Power of Resilience CIC, said: "This was a very well-used resource in October 2022 when we piloted this project. We hope that with further fundraising we can build a permanent structure and make this a community resource.

"We will be taking donations from now on from the community to help us stock the shelves. These include jars, tins, toiletries, period products and warm items such as scarves, gloves, hats etc.

"We ask that any item not in plastic packaging be placed in a sealed see-through plastic bag as the pantry is exposed to the elements and we want to reduce goods getting damaged."

Bulk donations can be dropped off at 137 Stamford Street, Stalybridge, and smaller donations added to the pantry itself 24 hours a day/seven days a week.

More information about the pantry can be found at https://thepowerofresilience.co.uk/the-power-of-resilience-cic-community-pantry-project/