The Pantry opens in Fleetwood as new home for food bank

A new amenity is now up and running in the former Fleetwood Hospital building and is now home to the town's foodbank.
The Pantry is now open in Fleetwood. Fr John Hall (second left)  with volunteers at the new amenityThe Pantry is now open in Fleetwood. Fr John Hall (second left)  with volunteers at the new amenity
The Pantry is now open in Fleetwood. Fr John Hall (second left) with volunteers at the new amenity

After nine months of building work and preparation, and delays due to Covid restrictions, the first phase of community facilities at the former hospital is now open and supporting local residents.

The Pantry is the new home for the combined Fleetwood Foodbank and the Mustard Seed, delivered by the Town’s Church of England and Catholic parishes under the banner of Faith in the Community.

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The facility will be just one element of the overall building, which was acquired by the Fleetwood Trust for £575,000 in November 2018, with a view to turning it into a vibrant community hub, while retaining some NHS services in the building.

The Trust has also carried out a £200,000 roof repair and replaced all 162 windows

Father Alf Hayes of St Wulstans & St Edmunds RC Church said: “The foodbank started around 11 years ago and alongside the Mustard Seed we’ve always been there to help those in need.

"The Pantry will be one of the bases for support as part of Fleetwood Together which was delivering food packages to up to 1,300 people a week earlier in the year.

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"The numbers are lower now but likely to increase again in the challenging months ahead.”

Funding to create The Pantry has been provided by the owners of the hospital building, The Fleetwood Trust.

Charley Wilkinson, the Trust’s chief executive officer said: “We are delighted to hand over the new facility to Faith in the Community.

"This is the start of the vision the Fleetwood Trust has for the site to become a vibrant and sustainable hub serving the needs of the local community.”

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TFr John Hall of St David’s & St Peter’s CE paraish, who volunteers at The Pantry, added: “We are here to support all those who are in need, to offer a friendly face and a compassionate ear.”

For further information on the support available from The Pantry or to volunteer, telephone 07467 498406.

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