When is the Community Pantry and Foodbank open?
A new community pantry opened its doors to residents in March 2021, addressing food waste and providing a bit of extra help for those who may need it. All are welcome at the Pantry.
Coxhoe and Area Community Pantry and Foodbank is for people in Coxhoe, Quarrington Hill and other surrounding villages.
Opening times are:
9.30 am to 11.00 am on Mondays, and
5.00 pm to 6.30 pm on Thursdays.
How does it operate?
Coxhoe and Area Community Pantry is open to anyone. All are welcome to pay as you feel for what you need. The service is confidential and does not discriminate or judge, and everyone is treated with respect.
We aim to distribute food which would have otherwise gone to waste, although is still fresh to eat. Using food collected every week from our generous providers Fareshare, the Co-Op and more recently Sainsbury’s at Sedgefield, we will prepare a weekly menu of items available (this will no doubt vary every week) and invite our customers to come along to Coxhoe Village Hall at the specified times and choose food from, which will help keep them energised and nourished. As our menu of foodstuffs will be ever changing customers will find out what is available on their visit. The system will operate whereby customers will be able to choose a specified number of items from each section of the menu to prepare a package of goods tailored to suit them.
All we ask in return is that, if the customer is able, then they make a cash donation, in order to help support our future sustainability. We understand that not everyone is able to do this. We also request that our customers respect our volunteers who are doing their best to deliver a fit for purpose service to help whoever we can.
Although people can attend at any time during the opening hours, coronavirus secure measures must be followed at all times. Volunteer drivers may also be on hand to support residents with food deliveries, if they cannot access the Village Hall themselves.
Would you like to help us?
The operation of the Community Pantry and Foodbank, is dependent on our team of volunteers who will assist in its effective and efficient operation. We need volunteers on Monday mornings and Thursday evenings, and sometimes at other times too. We need help in our store cupboard making sure donations are logged in and filling up bags for our customers, and for reception type roles making sure everyone gets a great welcome. If you would like to help out in anyway or would like further information please contact the Village Hall by email at pantry@coxhoevillagehall.com
Community Pantry and Foodbank Vision, Mission Statement and Values
We have set out the vision, mission statement and values of the community pantry as follows:
Vision
Everyone in Coxhoe and its surrounding area will have access to good food and by alleviating food wastage we will all help to protect the environment.
Mission
Working for the benefit of our community, we will work with partners and stakeholders to offer a fit for purpose volunteer operated food resource centre, sourcing and sharing surplus affordable food with those currently experiencing food insecurities, and enabling everyone involved to help our environment by supporting a reduction in food waste
Values
Compassion in all interactions and activities – demonstrating inclusivity, commitment, respect, honesty, reliability and prudence
Appreciation of every contribution – whether from volunteers and their diverse talents, partners and their services, or donations offered – and actively listening, learning and responding to evolving needs to ensure our service is fit for purpose and sustainable
Accountability – we will be transparent and maintain the public trust through the efficient and effective use and stewardship of the resources entrusted to us, and we are mindful that our mission is accomplished through the generosity of others
Commitment – to providing a fit for purpose, ever evolving and sustainable service to meet the needs of our local community and effectively utilise community support to sustain our work
Protection of our environment wherever we can by helping prevent food wastage
Further information
Further details will appear here in due course as things develop. If you have any queries regarding the Community Pantry please contact us by email – pantry@coxhoevillagehall.com
Please follow the Community Pantry Facebook page for regular updates.
Donations
We are also accepting donations of food, toiletries and Pet Food which will be used to support the Community Pantry and Foodbank. If you would like to donate then our drop off times are:
Thursday 9.30am to 12.00 pm. Please keep an eye on the Parish Council noticeboards and Facebook pages which will show our special donation items every month. There is also a donation box at the Active Life Centre in Coxhoe.
Funding
In the first instance East Durham Rural Corridor Area Action Partnership (AAP), donated more than £11,000 to the Coxhoe and Area Community Pantry. In addition to this the project has received a £3,000 boost through the Neighbourhood Budgets of local County Councillors Stuart Dunn and Maura McKeon. Coxhoe Parish Council are also supporting the initiative by committing a significant amount of staff resources over the 18 month life of the Pantry. The Village Hall has also invested in providing a dedicated storeroom. The Community Pantry is also grateful to The Durham Sorting Office, Royal Mail, who very kindly donated food and whose staff had a collection and provided a monetary contribution.
The community pantry and Foodbank continues to operate from our brilliant Village Hall for as long as we can secure the funding. Please support it in any way you can.