Amie MacNab-Jack from Bath’s Mercy In Action explains how this charity is helping local families to survive these times of hardship
Sarah (not actual name) and her family turned up to the doorstep of our Mercy in Action Community Hub in Twerton, Bath in January 2023 feeling bewildered, lost and stressed. This family had just welcomed their third child and, as a result, Sarah had to leave her job with absolutely no support.
She told me it, “Ielt like the world had ended.” Their credit card bills were spiralling, doom felt like it was impending and providing basics suddenly felt out of reach.
On hearing about our Action Pantry, a local initiative to make affordable and fresh food easily accessible to those experiencing financial hardship, Sarah pursued her referral and suddenly had access to an option that was going to serve her family.
Coming along and picking up groceries for their family of five each week soon became a lifeline. She told me she noticed immediately she was spending less on a regular basis and on additional items that mount up.
“This took the pressure off everything for us,” she told me with a sense of relief on her face. We often hear these sentiments at our Action Pantry, in a time where people’s budgets are squeezed and the cost of living crisis remains a harsh reality within many people’s worlds.
Sarah explained to me that since her and her family started using Action Pantry, it has expanded and is continually covering more of her family’s needs. As I met with her, she had not only picked up her shopping for the week, but a selection of clothes from our Clothesline service, some new books for her children to enjoy, a bunch of nappies for her youngest son, a duvet cover her three-year-old was delighted to have and a new educational toy they were eager to get home and delve into!
She added that thanks to the Clothesline service, she had not had to buy any new clothes for her children in such a long time and how much this takes the pressure off her family financially. Clothesline provides an abundant stash of clothing for any child from a low-income family to take home absolutely free. In these cold Winter days, I noticed the popularity of cosy coats and warm layers the families were choosing.
For Sarah and her family the ‘yellow shop’, as they have coined our Pantry has provided them with, “A lovely moment in time despite its difficulties.” She tells me it feels like she is going back in time when she visits the Pantry – you know your shopkeepers name, build relationship, community and a sense of comfort within the four walls.
Our service is ever-expanding and, as we look ahead to Christmas, we are so delighted to know that families will eat, play and have a moment of relief as we provide them with Christmas dinners, hampers and gifts, as well as food to get them through the school break.
We are so grateful for our Action Pantry Coordinator Fiona Wakley and all the volunteers who dedicate so much time and effort into keeping our ‘yellow shop’ a warm and thriving place to be.
“The work at Action Pantry is so important because it helps combat food insecurity by providing fresh & essential food that enables families to put healthy meals on the table,” commented Fiona. “It gives support to people who are struggling to keep up with the everyday cost of life, to come in chose their food that sees them through the week, and the money saved can be put towards bills and other costs. We aim to create a space where people feel comfortable, supported and dignified.’
If you think you could help us this Christmas or beyond with volunteering, food donations or monetary gifts we would be so grateful. See our Christmas giving page https://www.mercyinaction.org.uk/new-page-7 for all the information you need or use this QR code to bring you straight there.