These Little Punk Pantries offer some relief to those affected by the current economic hardship

Providing free food and essentials 24/7 in Devon, Little Punk Pantries are in greater demand than ever due to the financial repercussions of the pandemic lockdown.

Quietly helping local residents access free food without fear of embarrassment

Punk Against Poverty now have 12 Punk Pantries situated across Torbay, Devon, where people can access food for free 24 hours a day. However, in the current crisis, organisers have found demand for food from the pantries to be much higher than donations of food being put in to them.

Punk Pantries give a glimmer of hope and a helping hand

Imagine the scene… you’re usually very organised with your money, you know how to manage your tight budget. This week though, you forgot the bill that was coming out of your account and you’ve been left short. You’ve made sure your kids are fed, you’ve even bought them the sweets they asked for because you couldn’t bare to say no and make them sad, or have them realise you’re struggling this week. The kids haven’t noticed that while they’ve had dinner you’ve gone without. 

Then you go for a walk and come across a small box filled with food that’s free to anyone. You can take enough food to make a meal for yourself and suddenly the kindness of strangers shows the world in a better light. 

Punk Pantries can’t fix people’s problems but what they can do is give a glimmer of hope, a helping hand, and a sign that not everything in this world is cruel. 

Demand outstrips supply for Torbay’s Little Punk Pantries

Punk Against Poverty is a community interest company with a grassroots approach to alleviating problems caused by poverty, aiming to offer immediate short term solutions to immediate issues.

Punk Against Poverty now have 12 Punk Pantries across Torbay, Devon, where people can access food and other essentials for free 24 hours a day. 

“In the current crisis we have found demand for food from our pantries to be much higher than donations of food being put in to them so we are seeking to urgently raise funds to enable us to make wholesale orders to keep them stocked and to enable us to keep quietly helping local residents access free food without fear of embarrassment. A small donation makes a big difference.” says organiser Stephanie Rox on a GoFundMe campaign page set up to meet the recent overwhelming demand.

“Our Punk Pantries are not meant as an alternative to food banks. They are a helping hand if you need something to get you through until payday, or something to eat while you wait for a food parcel. They are a place where if you find something you like you can swap it for something that you have at home that you won’t eat.

Pantries are stocked with whatever donations we get and instant foods, they rarely offer all of the food required for a balanced healthy diet. If you find yourself needing to use a pantry on a daily basis please get in touch so we can signpost you to more appropriate, longer term help, or call the helpline that has been set up to help during the current crisis on 01803 446022. Stay safe!”