Kirkholt residents can fill their pantries with discounted food

Local councillors Richard Farnell and Kathleen Nickson join local Pantry volunteers and shopper Makala Mitchell at the opening day of the Kirkholt Pantry

Kirkholt residents can now fill their pantries with discounted food thanks to a new project launched on the estate this week.

Called Kirkholt Pantry, the scheme means members can turn up and pay a £3 weekly subscription in return for a basket full of food goods worth at least £12.

The unique scheme is only open to Kirkholt residents and is designed to help them reduce their weekly food bills.

Over 50 residents have already signed up and with the number of places limited to just 100 so time's running out for new members to join.

Started up with a £5,000 grant from Rochdale Boroughwide Housing and donations from local councillors, the Pantry, which operates from the drop-in centre on The Strand, has already established itself as a crucial facility for residents.

Resident Makala Mitchell, said: "It's absolutely brilliant and has helped me a lot. It obviously means I can get more food for my money than I would be able to afford in a supermarket."

Volunteer Cheryl Ennis, who helps run the pantry, added: "It's taken 12 months of planning to get to this stage, but we're now up and running and ready for business. It's already proving very popular with residents and our volunteers have been fantastic. I don't know what we'd do without them."

New volunteers and members are always welcome. If you want to know more about volunteering ccontact Zahida Bashir:

zahida.bashir@rbh.org.uk

Local councillor Kathleen Nickson said: "As austerity continues to bite, schemes like this are becoming more and more crucial for our residents."

Fellow councillor Richard Farnell said: "Thanks to Cheryl and her dedicated team help is on hand to make sure that, unlike Old Mother Hubbard, Kirkholt residents' cupboards will not be bare."