Jenner Park Primary school, Barry, opens food pantry

Jenner Park Primary School are opening a non-profit pantry for the community on November 8 where families can get shopping for as much as they can afford.

The pantry will be open for an hour at the school during term time, for families to buy essentials at a little too low price.

The shop has been open to families of the school since June, and due to the success amongst parents, the school will be expanding it to the local community.

Pupils of Jenner Park Primary School setting up the Pantry. Picture: Jenner Park Primary School (Image: Jenner Park Primary School)Pupils of Jenner Park Primary School setting up the Pantry. Picture: Jenner Park Primary School

Ruth Morris, family engagement office for Jenner Park, said: “We have been very lucky to have had so much support from our pupils, families, local community, and friends of the school along with the funding and grants to get The Pantry up and running.

“Asda Barry have also been a great support, they invited us to do a food drive at their store to give our shelves a boost before we opened.

“The pantry has been open for families of the school since the end of June, and customers have grown in numbers week by week, our special guest Lee Selby came along to open the shop with our very own year six designer Dominic Jones.”

The pantry contains items at no set prices, customers are encouraged to pay what they can afford with the aim of taking the pressure off high grocery bills.

The Pantry will be opening to the community on November, 8 (Image: Jenner Park Primary School)The Pantry will be opening to the community on November, 8. Picture: Jenner Park Primary School

As well as essential items, it also has pre-loved school uniforms, coats and shoes with profits going towards buying more products for the shop.

A mum who used the pantry said: “I was unsure of using the pantry at first, as my husband works so I wasn’t sure I should be coming to the shop.

“We are a family of five and spend so much on food shopping, but it takes the edge of it by coming to the pantry.”

Asda Barry allowed Jenner Park Primary to do a food drive at their store (Image: Jenner Park Primary School)Asda Barry allowed Jenner Park Primary to do a food drive at their store. Picture: Jenner Park Primary School 

The pantry will be open to the community every Wednesday from 3.15pm. until 4.15pm.

Ms Morris added: “We welcome everyone to the shop regardless of their situation, as the aim of the shop is to help people by taking the pressure off grocery bills.”