Low-cost food pantry awarded £272k lottery grant

A community hub and food pantry has been awarded £272,702, which managers say will cover its main costs for the next three years.

Oasis Hub Bath, which opened in the city centre in 2018, has two affordable food pantries that support around 600 people each week.

Community director Jo Dolby said the funds awarded by the National Lottery Community Fund "will cover the majority of our core operating costs over the next three years".

"It will also enable us to develop additional services that respond to emerging needs in our local community," she said.

"The pantry basically keeps us going", said a pantry member who did not want to be named.

"No matter what's going on financially, whatever stresses and strains we've got, it's always an accessible price point for us to be able to come and be sorted for the week."

The hub also offers support sessions with organisations such as Citizens Advice, as well as health checks with partner healthcare organisations.

Another member of the food pantry said that it helped them with their electricity bills.

"I saw someone here who helped me, it was amazing. She was so helpful, non-judgemental," they said.

To be eligible to join the Pantry, members must have an annual household income of less than £18,000 or be struggling to afford food, and live in eligible areas of Bath.

There are two membership tiers, £5 per week for 6 items or £7.50 per week for 10 items, which includes access to chilled and cupboard food, toiletries, and household items. Some items with shorter shelf lives, including fruit and vegetables, are available for free.

Sam, another member, said that coming to the pantry had "changed my life for the good and saved my life".

"I came to the pantry one day and there was a nurse here. She checked my blood pressure and said it was absolutely rocketing. I went straight to hospital, put on an ECG machine and they found out that I had very high blood pressure," he said.

"Coming here saved my life, so I am so grateful to the pantry and all their staff because I wouldn't be here today without that".

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