Girvan Food Pantry to be managed by VASA from June
Local organisation Voluntary Action South Ayrshire (VASA) will manage the Girvan Food Pantry, based at Girvan Primary School in Wesley Road from Monday 3rd June 2024.
VASA, who already run Ayr food pantry will take on the pantry in Girvan, which was originally set up by Children 1st in February 2022.
Locals, including those without children, get their weekly food shop at the pantry at a vastly reduced cost each week, after paying a nominal joining fee. For people, who may be struggling with the cost-of-living crisis, food pantries offer choice and dignity while helping to make sure they can put enough food on the table. Around 600 local residents currently use the Girvan Food Pantry each week.
While VASA run the pantry, Children 1st Girvan will continue to offer its family wellbeing support service to help families keep their children safe from harm from the Wesley Road hub.
Marie Oliver , chief executive officer, VASA said: “We are delighted to add to the vital work we are already doing across South Ayrshire by taking on the Girvan Food Pantry. Children 1st have done an excellent job in establishing the pantry in response to the pressing needs of local families and have created an essential community resource. Bringing together the management of both the Ayr pantry and the Girvan pantry will enable us to continue to develop the support we offer to support all those struggling with money worries in our community.”
Fiona McBride, assistant director, children and family services, Children 1st said: “Children 1st started the Girvan Food pantry in 2022 because families told us that not being able to afford enough food was affecting their children’s physical and mental wellbeing. We created a pantry that was open to all, and we are incredibly proud of the difference it has made to everybody in Girvan. With the pantry well-established and given VASA’s longstanding record of managing food pantries this is a timely move which enables Children 1st to continue to focus our efforts on our core purpose, supporting families to keep their children safe from harm.
“We want to thank everyone who has shopped at volunteered with or supported the pantry in other ways during the last two years, who have made the pantry the important community resource it is today.”