A ‘community pantry’ which provides food and groceries to around 80 families a week in Ramsbottom has applied to make buildings set up during Covid lockdowns a permanent fixture.
Ramsbottom Pantry, who operate from Christ Church on Great Eaves Road, installed a storage container and cabin at the premises to help the community during a time of ‘genuine need’ in October 2020.
During that period of the pandemic planning permission was waived but this week the church has lodged a retrospective application for planning permission for the structures installed at the rear of the church building.
The church revealed the continuing need for the pantry’s services in documents published by Bury Council. A design and access statement said: “The facility provides a much-needed community grocery service which is supporting about 80 families since Spring 2021.
“Referrals are made by local GPs, schools, social workers and Bury Voluntary Community and Faith Alliance. Ramsbottom Pantry is operated entirely by volunteers. “In response to a genuine need Ramsbottom Pantry was set up in October 2020 during lockdown.
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"The volunteers asked Christ Church for the use their premises which provided a safe place to continue to serve the local community in need.
“In March 2021, the church resumed the use of their premises for Sunday services and other weekday activities and incorporated Ramsbottom Pantry giving them registered charity status. To provide space for the pantry to continue to serve the community, Ramsbottom Rotary donated a storage container and cabin, which were installed by Balfour Beatty free of charge.”
In addition to food and groceries, the pantry also hosts a weekly drop-in café, provides access to a trained mental health nurse and gives direction to other agencies, such as VCFA Beacon Service and Christians Against Poverty.
Fortnightly, a surgery is run by Bury Council to help people with social housing issues and council related matters. The church also offers a ‘warm space’ for those struggling with their energy bills.
The shipping container and cabin store food and a timber framed cantilever canopy structure protects the volunteers from bad weather. The planning application will now be considered by Bury Council.
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