Low-cost food pantry awarded £272k lottery grant
Oasis Hub Bath said the funding will cover its main operating costs over the next three years.
Low-cost food pantry receives £272k lottery grant
A community hub and food pantry has been awarded £272,702, with managers saying the money will cover its main costs for the next three years.
Oasis Hub Bath, which opened in the city centre in 2018, runs two affordable food pantries that support around 600 people each week.
Community director Jo Dolby said the funding from 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 provides support sessions with organisations such as Citizens Advice, along with health checks from partner healthcare organisations.
Another food pantry member said it had 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 qualify for the Pantry, members must have an annual household income below £18,000 or be struggling to afford food, and live in eligible areas of Bath.
There are two membership tiers: £5 a week for 6 items or £7.50 a week for 10 items, with access to chilled and cupboard food, toiletries, and household items. Some shorter-life items, including fruit and vegetables, are available free of charge.
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".