The weekly food club, which gives access to a pantry of fresh produce and personal hygiene items via a self-selection process, takes place on Tuesdays from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm at the church and community centre on Brookshaw Street.
Unlike a food bank, no referral is needed and the cost to become a food club member is just £5 for an annual membership. Once at the club there is a cost of just £4 which gives the member up to 12 - 15 items of fresh vegetables, fresh, chilled and frozen food, nonperishable items and toiletries, dependent on availability, meaning items can be picked up for as little as 33 pence each. Operating in a drop-in style, the food club helps to combat food poverty in the local area and is for members of the community struggling to make ends meet.
Captain Cor van der Woude, church leader of The Salvation Army in Bury said: “From conversations we have within the community, we have seen a lot of poverty and deprivation in this area and that there are a lot of people - hardworking people, older people and families - who are in big need of support.
“People can be ashamed to talk about it, to talk about not having enough money for toiletries, cupboard essentials and just the basics to survive, but with a membership to our food club people can have access to a service that provides everything they need at a heavily reduced cost.
“We are still seeing people in times of crisis; mortgage rates are still high, housing options are still slim and food poverty is still a very real problem for many people within our community and decisions are made as to whether to pay bills or put food on the table. “People don’t need to struggle; we are here to provide a helping hand as times remain incredibly tough for many.”
On occasions the food club will also have items for pets and baby essentials, such as formula and nappies. The items are limited to a certain number per section ensuring the scheme is fair for everyone attending.
Aliya^, 40, from Bury, who works part time, is a member of the food club and attends each week to pick up key cupboard staples and toiletry essentials for her three children and her husband who works in sales. She said: “I joined The Salvation Army’s food club as a way to save money on essentials. I’m always cautious of how much I spend, I have to be, the cost of living is just too high.
“I’ve learnt over the years to manage our family finances, just to keep up with life. I’ve had to do that because money, wages, it just doesn’t keep up with the pace of the rising cost of living. Every week it can be a juggle. My husband and I both work to provide for our family and we still don’t have enough money. I come to the food club every week and it does make a big difference. The food club gives me the freedom to choose what I need and pay affordable prices meaning my family doesn’t suffer.”
For anyone wishing to support the food club, financial donations are accepted and while donations of all sizes are welcome, people are encouraged to donate only what they can afford. The Salvation Army in Bury has a Just Giving page which can be found at www.justgiving.com/tsa-community-support-000064.