A lifeline for anyone struggling with rising food prices has opened in a former gift shop in Morecambe town centre with a new cafe to follow.
The Morecambe Pantry 'food group' has been set up in the former 13 The Warehouse shop on Queen Street and a community cafe called 'Sanctuary' is scheduled to open by the end of March.
Morecambe Pantry helps anyone who can't afford to pay for meals during the cost of living crisis by collecting and distributing surplus food which would have ended up as landfill.
Their customers sign up to a membership scheme paying £4 per visit for around £20 worth of food which they choose themselves from the stock available.
Food groups are being set up all over the country, and there are several in the North Lancashire area.
LISTEN to our interview with Rev Chris Krawiec and Sue Armstrong from Morecambe Pantry
Sue Armstrong, manager of Morecambe Pantry, said a food group is "not a foodbank, there is a big distinction".
"Foodbanks are for when you are at crisis point," she said.
"Food groups were set up to help combat food waste."
But Sue said that since the Covid-19 pandemic, more and more people are relying on food groups as a "lifeline".
"Lots of people can't manage without going to a food group.
"We're in a high deprivation area of Morecambe and there isn't anywhere around here (in the town centre) that provides what we provide for the community."
Rev Chris Krawiec and Sue Armstrong at Morecambe Pantry.
Rev Chris Krawiec from Morecambe Parish Church said customers are not just people who have been living in long-term poverty.
"There is no criteria. You don't need to be on benefits. We all know people who are in high paid jobs right now who are struggling to make ends meet.
"Most of us are only two pay cheques away from being in a really awful situation. It can happen to anyone."
Sue said: "A relationship breaks down, you become a sofa surfer, then you become homeless, these knock-on effects can happen to any of us. It's not just those who live chaotic lifestyles. It's people like you and I.
"Life is very chaotic for everybody and we're trying to be that welcoming space where anyone can come. It's making a huge difference.
"We do have people walking in who are in dire straits and we will try to facilitate as best we can.
"The days when we are not running sessions, the food is very limited. But we will try to help."
Morecambe Pantry opened in the former 13 The Warehouse gift shop on Queen Street, which closed in 2021.
The Pantry was set up in 2020, initially based in the Poulton War Memorial Hall near Morecambe Parish Church, before the team made the decision to move.
"We wanted to come to right where people are and Queen Street seemed like a great place to be able to do that," said Rev Krawiec.
"We also wanted to start a community cafe, a kind of community hub.
"We hope to open end of March. It will be a place where you can walk in any day of the week and feel comfortable and welcome. It will be a safe place, and that's why we've called it 'Sanctuary'."
The community cafe will serve locally-sourced food and drink, and will be open to everyone.
There are also plans for a children's play area within the building and the 'community hub' will also be available for groups and organisations to use for meetings and clubs.
Morecambe Pantry sessions are held on Mondays 9-11am and 2.30pm-6pm, Tuesdays 2-6pm and Fridays 1.30-7pm.
You don't need to be referred, you just book an appointment and fill in a membership form. The Pantry currently has around 60 regular customers.
Customers are offered the option of joining a food co-operative for an extra £2 per visit. This will take the full cost up to £6 per visit, but then includes two litres of milk, an 800g loaf of bread and six free range eggs.
The Pantry buys its food from Fareshare, the UK’s national network of charitable food redistributors.
FareShare Lancashire and Cumbria is operated by Recycling Lives Charity and delivers thousands of tonnes of food every year – delivering 3.2 million meals in 2021/22 alone.
Morecambe Pantry has 12 volunteers and is on the look-out for more. You can contact the project via the Morecambe Pantry Facebook page.
The scheme was set up by Morecambe Parish Church in partnership with Great Places Housing Group, FareShare and Eggcup (both food redistribution charities).
Around £60,000 has been invested to date in changing the building into the Pantry and cafe. Funding comes from the church and various outside sources.
The team currently rents the premises but is hoping to buy it in future.
Appeal launched to help save Morecambe sports and social club
Reopening date announced after Morecambe Jobcentre closes for repairs
Lancaster charity urges residents to know how they’re affected by Renters' Rights Act
Lancaster district residents urged to check their details as annual electoral canvass begins
E-bikes and e-scooters seized during police crackdown on Lancaster cycle track
Four vehicles involved in road collision in Carnforth
LISTEN: Popular vlog tells story of couple's second-hand bookshop dream in Morecambe
Emergency team in Silverdale receives donation of life-saving kits
MP offers support to staff after Morecambe FC reported to The Pensions Regulator
Track night at Lancaster sports club to launch police safety scheme for women and girls
PHOTOS: Live music day to raise funds for homeless people in Lancaster hailed as huge success
Former bank turned live music venue in Morecambe to reopen under new management
New parking system set to launch at Royal Lancaster Infirmary
Museum in Lancaster up for award launched by TV historian David Olusoga
MP fights for refunds after Heysham medical centre patients get parking fines in error
Two teenagers arrested after car stolen during Hest Bank burglary
Parents demand further action after health watchdog probe into asbestos complaints at Lancaster school
LISTEN: Lancaster medical students praised for helping man who collapsed
Man arrested on Morecambe beach after report of assault
Police probe burglaries in villages near Carnforth
