A celebratory event marking the hard work and dedication of more than 300 volunteers at The Scottish Pantry Network (TSPN) will be held in Glasgow this week.
This Thursday, June 1, marks the start of Volunteers’ Week - an annual celebration of the contribution of millions of people making a difference in their communities throughout the UK.
Now volunteers of TSPN have been asked to attend Glasgow’s Grand Central Hotel on Thursday to acknowledge the hard work that has been put in to help grow the pantry network.
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Mandy Morgan, founder of the pantry network, said: “Our volunteers are the backbone of the network and we couldn’t do it without them. They are all absolutely amazing in everything that they do.
“TSPN is not even three years old yet. We celebrate our third birthday in September this year but momentum for the network is growing so fast.
“We are still in the beginning stages of something that could really be quite radical and empower the community.
“Across the network there are 20-30 volunteers each so there are around 385 volunteers across TSPN in total.”
There are currently 19 pantries set up and developed in Glasgow, Inverclyde, Midlothian and West Lothian with 11 in Glasgow alone namely Ruchazie, Parkhead, Castlemilk, Govan, Courtyard, Pollok, North West Govanhill, Links and Crookston Community Group.
The pantries first and foremost redistribute surplus food which would otherwise end up in landfill.
Just £2.50 buys between £10 to £15 worth of food.
Ms Morgan added: “It makes people’s money go further so they can purchase other things. You won’t get everything from the pantry but it will save you money which means you have more money to spend on other things you maybe wouldn’t normally be able to.
“We are getting good feedback from the community as well. Everyone who has a pantry in their neighbourhood is delighted with them.
“The pantries are so much more than the food which is just a small part of it. It is actually an anchor organisation which is being run and directed by the community.”
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