The Rt Revd Nick Baines, Bishop of Leeds, recently visited the InterAct Pantry in the Leeds area as part of a campaign for churches to consider opening food pantries, to strengthen their neighbourhoods and build local hope.
InterAct Pantry in Meanwood is part of the Your Local Pantry network, and is run by a charity made up of Anglican, URC, Baptist and Methodist churches.
The Your Local Pantry network has 121 pantries across the UK, and is looking to grow through churches, which are ideally placed to host more.
On the visit Bishop Nick talked with members and volunteers about the impact the pantry has locally.
Bishop Nick said: “What’s really impressive is that we recognise that food isn’t just for eating - we commune around food.
“So whether people are collecting food or eating food together, it’s a social event.
“It goes to the heart of the Christian faith as well, this is what we do all the time.
“I would encourage churches to consider how they might be engaged and involved in this.
“We need to remember, Jesus said we will be judged by whether we visit the sick, feed the hungry, give drink to those who are thirsty and so on.
“You can!”
Your Local Pantry’s recent Places Of Hope report reported that Pantries had saved members £10.5 million in the past two years, and showed that they were bringing a wide range of community benefits, such as improved health, reduced isolation, and enhanced access to other opportunities and services.
Of the 121 Pantries in the network, 73 are hosted by or supported by churches or Christian charities.
James Henderson, network development coordinator for Church Action on Poverty, said: “Pantries are all about dignity, choice and hope.
“They are a perfect fit for churches who want to cement their role in their community, and who want to help make change happen.
“Many churches have spaces that lend themselves to Pantries, but also an abundance of compassion and potential volunteers.
“If any church is wondering how to use food as a gateway to hope, we’d love to hear from you.”
To find out more about Your Local Pantry, please click here.