Journalism & News from Bournemouth University

The Pantry Boscombe provides education amidst cost of living crisis.

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Volunteers at The Pantry in Boscombe.
Volunteers gather outside the food truck for the 'Feed our Community' initiative
The team behind The Pantry in Boscombe are providing education for those still struggling following the cost of living crisis.
Gather and Grow is one of the new initiatives, which offers free breakfasts to any women who may be struggling to put food on the table.
The sessions are judgement-free and unlike food banks, The Pantry never means tests the people they serve food to.
George Godfrey, one of the leaders of the Feed Our Community campaign, said that empathising with the situation means understanding that anyone can find themselves in need.
She said: “Now we have people who have two jobs, or they are parents but the dad comes one day and the mum the next, and it is about understanding who is in need.”
Food in crates ready to be distributed at the food bank.
Food at the Bournemouth bank in crates at the Boscombe Pantry.
Last year, the volunteering team won the Kings Award for Volunteering, which is equivalent to an MBE.
George said this was “really rewarding for a lot of our volunteers.”
Gather and Grow is just one of the events hoping to bring together people who might be struggling with money and bills. From this Friday, volunteers will be serving free hot dogs for their regulars.
Alongside these events, The Pantry charges visitors £2 for a full weekly shop, which includes fruit and vegetables, meat and poultry, and microwavable items.
They also hand out brochures containing advice for how to keep a healthy diet, and offer free pet food for dogs.
Volunteers gather around the table at the food bank in Boscombe
Some of the volunteers who help out with the men’s groups in the Boscombe food bank.
Steven, another of the volunteers said: “This does not feel like an us and them situation. We as volunteers are part of the community, and part of the conversation.”
His colleague Daryl added: “Our volunteers are very passionate about spending time with people who visit the food bank because we know this might be the only conversation they have that day.
“We talk about everything. The men’s groups are very open.”
George said that groups like Gather and Grow also allow women to bond over and be open about their shared hardships.
The volunteers will gather for a planning meeting this weekend to discuss the new initiatives they can use to help the community in future.
George added: “We want to be ready to expand with all of our projects, and we will be ready very soon.”