Helping neighbours in need 

Based at our Community Hall, North End Panty is part of our mission to offer a helping hand to our neighbours in need and those passionate about stopping unwanted supermarket food going to landfill. North End Pantry was the first ‘Your Local Pantry’ to open in Portsmouth. Today it remains the largest in the area, and the food and household essentials that we distribute reaches around 600 local people each week!

Pantry members include local people who are passionate about stopping food going into landfill, working adults who can no longer afford to feed their families because of the cost-of-living crisis; people who have lost their jobs and are struggling to make ends meet on benefits; and overseas nationals who live here legally but receive no support from the government under current immigration policy. In 2023, North End Pantry provided over 200,000 meals that cost our members just 33p a meal!

What is a food pantry?

Food Pantries were designed to give dignity back to people who are struggling in food poverty by redirecting food that larger supermarkets were sending to landfill. Anyone who lives in the relevant postcode is able to become a member where the Pantry has membership spaces.  Pantries are strengthening communities, fostering friendships, loosening the grip of poverty and contributing to healthier, happier lives. Pantries operate as a membership food clubs and neighbourhood hubs, often serving as springboards to other community initiatives and ideas. 

Across the country and our city, pantries are helping soften the blow of high living costs, while creating conditions for communities to grow and thrive, by bringing people together around food. 
 

How does the Pantry work?

North End Pantry is a membership club open to anyone who lives in PO2 or PO3. No need to book in advance, just turn up on the day. We don't require people to prove their income or bring a referral voucher. We do ask people to complete a short registration form on your first visit to become a member, then you can come any further weeks you like.

The cost is £5 per visit, and in return members choose 10 items of food and household items you want most at a low, discounted price. Members take away a lot more than £5 worth of food – on average the value is at least £20 per visit! You'll also have choice about which items you receive, so you can select what you need most each week.

The items available vary from week to week, but always include a good range of staple foods and household goods, including bread, toiletries and fresh fruit and veg. Items are sourced from local supermarkets including food they no longer wish to sell, and subsidised food purchased by our volunteers from members’ fees.   

 

If you live in a different postcode or you're looking for a food bank or other help with food, please look on the Council website here.

The pantry in numbers

• We serve over 600 people per week
• ​With 25 volunteers
• Just £5 fee
• ​Research shows local Pantries save members £21 a week
• 97% of members say joining a pantry has improved their household finances
• ​83% say membership has been good for their mental health
• ​68% say it has been good for their physical health
• 200,000 meals provided in 2023

How does the pantry make a difference?

Here’s how one of our Pantry members, Denise, describes her experience:

"As a worker on a low income, I’ve found the cost of living increases really tough. The food pantry has been a real Godsend for me - especially in recent months when I’ve faced the additional costs of a house move and a delay in receiving benefits to top up my income. If it wasn’t for the pantry, things would be really difficult for me and I’m not sure how I’d manage. I don’t like asking others for help so I find being a pantry member really empowering. The food I receive lasts me most of the week, and there’s lots of choice so I can always pick up the items I need most!"

 

Throughout the early part of 2024, North End Pantry has been involved in a Food Waste research project and we look forward to sharing the results with you when they are in.

How can I support North End Pantry? 

The North End Pantry is delivered by 25 volunteers, who serve with love and dedication every week. We are hugely grateful for their support, and we often have opportunities for new volunteers to join our friendly team. Hours can be flexible and we ask for a minimum commitment of 2 hours a week. If you’re interested in learning more about volunteering, please contact us using the details at the bottom of this page.

We also very much welcome financial support from those who are able to provide it. Currently, the best way of supporting the future of our food pantry is to donate to our Community Hall renovation project. To learn more about this and make a donation, please click here.
 
Alternatively, if you are part a local business that might be able to provide donations of food, toiletries or dry goods, we’d love to hear from you. 

Contact Us
Email the team: pantry@northendbaptistchurch.com
Phone: Jo on 07733624248 or Lou on 07311826542 during opening hours.
Address: Community Hall, North End Baptist Church, 195 Powerscourt Rd, Portsmouth PO2 7JH.
(The entrance to the hall is located on Farlington Road)

To join us, just come along to any of our regular pantry sessions. We are open four days a week at the times shows at the top of this page.