Charity that helps those in furniture poverty launches new food shopping experience to help locals afford even more essentials

The SVP Sheffield Furniture Project now runs a food pantry every Tuesday morning from 9.30am until 11.30am after the charity saw a gap in the local area for an affordable and dignified way to shop. 

Despite the project’s main focus is to help those who currently live in furniture poverty, the centre knew they could do more to help local residents who were struggling to feed themselves and their families due to the rising cost of living. 

Vinnies Value Pantry offers a range of food produce which will change weekly to offer a great variety of options for shoppers. The initiative is in partnership with Fareshare to help make this possible, alongside fighting hunger and tackling food waste.  

Alongside food, the pantry will also be offering clothes, toiletries, pots and pans for cooking, and other items which can also change weekly. 

“We speak and see people in poverty everyday here at the SVP Furniture Project, and we saw that furniture poverty is not the only poverty affecting people in the area,” explains Centre Manager Tracy Haycox. 

“When we make deliveries or just when we’re chatting to someone on the phone, it’s clear to see that the need is more than just furniture and we knew we had to help. That’s why we created Vinnie’s Value Pantry. 

“There is no specific criteria on your personal circumstances for you to come and shop with us. It’s a dignified and cost-effective way of shopping that is open to everyone. So even if you just need a cheaper way to shop, then please do bring a bag and come visit us on Tuesday mornings.” 

The centre is currently raising funds through the Doors of Hope Christmas Appeal with all funds raised going back in to the centre to continue the work they do and to help offer more services like this one.  

If you would like to make a donation to the appeal, please use the following link to do so: https://fundraising.svp.org.uk/page/158854/donate/1  

The centre is part of the wider St Vincent de Paul Society (England and Wales) which aims to tackle poverty in all its form through befriending and practical support. For more information about the work of the wider charity, please visit the SVP website: https://svp.org.uk/