By: Barbara Clarkson, Solutions Consultant at Economic Change CIC
In 2013, just as austerity began to bite, the Stockport Homes Group noticed that several of their tenants were constantly struggling to make ends meet. They saw the need for something different than a food bank, which is designed to provide short-term emergency support, and launched the Your Local Pantry scheme.
Your Local Pantry (YLP) is a social franchise which is different from a food bank in a number of important ways: The pantries are member-run, open to anyone local, and the membership is not time-limited. They offer fresh, packaged and higher-value foods, and members can choose whatever they want. For a membership fee of £3,50, members can choose up to £20 worth of food each time they go to the pantry. YLP creates the look and feel of a little local shop with uniformed staff who manage the store by
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