A MOTHER-OF-TWO said a food pantry has been an "amazing help" to her family as they sometimes struggle with just £3 in the bank.

Amy Bower has two young children - one three years old and the other six months - and often uses the Burgess Hill Pantry when her family's finances are stretched.

The 24-year-old, who is on maternity leave while her partner works full time, says the service is "really helpful for the last week before payday".

The pantry, which was opened amid the "growing pressures of furlough and redundancy," is similar to a foodbank - although customers pay a small fee.

Ms Bower said: "It's been an amazing help. We use it every week or every other week depending on finances. We're on Universal Credit and sometimes money is just not there. 

"We buy the kids what they need, pay for nursery, pay for milk, and then this is really helpful for the last week before payday. It's the best thing.

"Sometimes we have just £3 in the bank and we can come here and get beans, bread, cereal and we're sorted for a few days."

The Argus: Amy Bower, 24, and her two children Ellie and Arlo.

The pantry has been operating for the past few months but has had to delay its official opening due to Covid restrictions.

The Argus was invited to speak to some of the people who use the service, which "bridges the gap between a food bank and a regular shop".

Tony Phillips, 50, joined the pantry after his burger van business, which he had operated for 17 years, closed in March 2020. He then was injured and awaited surgery for 11 months making it difficult for him to work.

He said: "Obviously you get some money from the government but this has been a lifeline, it helps so much. Now my arm is starting to heal and I'm looking for jobs I decided to come back as a volunteer because I've seen the good it can do."

Customers can sign up online and come down to the shop front once a week and pay the £4 fee which then allows them to purchase three of the items marked with hearts which are worth £1.50 or more, and seven of the products marked with diamonds.

The Argus: Tony Phillips, 50, used the pantry after losing his job in the pandemic and now volunteers.

The pantry has a variety of cupboard products, as well as has fresh fruit and vegetables, sanitary products, and a selection of dairy and fresh items.

Councillor Joseph Foster is the chair of trustees for the enterprise, he said: "We opened the pantry in Burgess Hill because we saw there was a gap between our foodbank provision and the growing pressures of furlough and redundancy.

"So, what the pantry does is bridge the gap between a food bank and a regular shop. We hope it will help break the stigma because the members have to pay."

The Argus: Burgess Hill Pantry volunteers and chair of trustees Cllr Joseph Foster (centre).

The pantry is supported by various organisations that have donated to get it up and running such as Fare Share, Burgess Hill Town Council, Co-Op, and the Clarion Foundation.

To donate to the Burgess Hill Pantry visit www.cafonline.org Burgess Hill Community Cupboard. To become a member sign up via the website www.yourlocalpantry.co.uk/burgesshill/.

The pantry is open Tuesday: 10am-12.30pm & 1.30pm-4pm and Thursday: 10am-12.30pm & 1.30pm-4pm in 25-29 The Martlets, Burgess Hill, RH15 9NN.

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