Spotlight on: Downham Gleaning Pantry

Talking about the benefits of a pantry model, member-led volunteering and how to support their work

Downham Gleaning Pantry, was founded by Steph Holgate as part of the Downham Mutual Aid response during the Covid pandemic. From packing food parcels in her front room, moving into Brook Lane Community Church and later developing a ‘pantry’ model where residents join and spend £5 a week for a weekly shop, the Downham Gleaning Pantry is a great example of a thriving grassroots community-led food project.

The Good Food Team at Lewisham Local went to speak to Steph and members of the Downham Gleaning Pantry team about their experiences volunteering. We particularly wanted to know what they see the benefits are of the pantry model are over a traditional foodbank and how they encourage pantry members to give back through volunteering.

Why the Pantry Model?

“The pantry model gives a sense of ownership. Members don’t feel like they’re being given a handout, we communicate that they are contributing to the running costs and paying it forward to help others- this isn’t charity.”  Steph emphasised. “This project rescues surplus food from going to waste, so we make sure members know that they are supporting this aim and are part of it.”

“… everyone has ownership of the project, the project is everyone’s, so everyone has a say in how it’s run.”

‘We see households with two parents working who come to use the pantry to make ends meet…. We know that men can feel particular shame in having to ask for help so again that’s where the pantry model can benefit- people aren’t receiving charity, it’s a contribution to pay it forward’.

Steph’s proud to say they’ve never had to turn anyone away due to capacity and is thankful to have received two years funding from the National Lottery, which has covered the cost of additional food and providing special trips and activities. “We’d love to do more, like offer support around mental health, and training for our volunteers, or support groups for domestic violence. We are lucky to have a partnership with nearby church St Mark’s and St Luke’s so can link people into support that’s available there.”

Promoting Healthy Start. Families can use their Healthy Start Card to cover the cost of the weekly shop fee.

The project encourages members to come and volunteer, particularly if they can’t afford the fees. Out of 27 volunteers, over half the volunteer team are members of the pantry.

Volunteering at the project has given volunteers a sense of purpose, particularly if people live alone or might be single parent families – it’s a way to meet other people, stay activity and get out the house.

We spoke to several volunteers and heard about the following stories:

“it’s leaving people with power” said Babs, a volunteer and trustee of the project who has seen dozens of volunteers move on into work and other opportunities. Babs is part of Christians Against Poverty so can link people into support, including via CAPJobClubs.

One member told us that before their health got worse, they used to volunteer at this project and through this were able to attend training which led to a job opportunity. ‘The team are really friendly and supportive’.

Another volunteer came through the Brighter Horizons project, a project that supports people with learning difficulties into work experience. She told us how much she enjoys coming to the project every week and helping people to give back. The team commented on how they have seen her self esteem and confidence grow as well as skills.

Another volunteer shared that before volunteering here, he was sleeping rough nearby before seeking support from the church. They helped advocate to get into supported housing. For him, volunteering “makes me feel like a better person, and mentioned it helped manage their anxiety”.

“It’s the satisfaction of doing something for others, we have a laugh, get to know others and chat and leave feeling better”

How you can support

While the project is thankful to have a good team of volunteers, they are often short of reliable drivers who can support with regular collections from local supermarket. If you would like to volunteer or seek support, please contact: downhamaid@gmail.com

If you would like to find out about becoming a member of the pantry: Can I use the Gleaning Pantry? - Downham Aid

Learning recommendations for other pantries and foodbanks to support building ownership and active citizenship

“The pantry model gives a sense of ownership.”

1.       Communicate to members that they are part of the pantry and as paying members, they have a say on how it is run to help build engagement and a sense of ownership over the project

2.      Show how members are supporting a positive environmental impact of the project - saving surplus food and transforming it for good

3.      Paying a contribution can be framed as ‘paying it forward’ for another member and contributing to the running costs. Emphasise that this isn’t ‘charity’ which helps to overcome stigma about seeking support, particularly for men

4.      Involve members as volunteers – particularly if they can’t afford the weekly member contribution. This enables people to contribute in a meaningful way when payment isn’t possible

5.      Work with Lewisham and Bromley Credit Union who are keen to support members to save, and can offer free membership to the credit union and cover a limited number of weekly membership costs to support people who are struggling to cover the contribution

6.      Link volunteers into training and employment support, and make sure they know they can request a reference when applying for other roles

7.      Consider tracking volunteer wellbeing, to evidence how volunteering at the project has a positive influence on people’s wellbeing through providing purpose, social interaction and skills development.

8. Join the Feeding Britain network- they work with partners across the UK to develop sustainable and dignified approaches to protect people from hunger including affordable food clubs.

   
   

If you would like to find more resources, check out our toolkits and resources page.

This case study was written by Simone Riddle, Food Justice Programme Manager at Lewisham Local working with Lewisham's Food Justice Alliance to reduce food injustice in Lewisham.