Aspire Ryde has announced that it is closing its 4 pop-up pantries across the Isle of Wight due to several factors including funding issues, limited stock and low attendance in certain areas.
The pop-up pantries set to close are those at Shanklin United Reformed Church, Chale Village Hall, Freshwater Memorial Hall, and Shalfleet Village Hall. All 4 pantries will close by the end of May.
Aspire say that the decision is one ‘that hasn’t been taken lightly’ and that the decision was made after a review of attendance data, operational costs and community feedback highlighted challenges with the mobile pantry model.
At the Shanklin United Reformed Church earlier this week (Monday), more than a dozen people attended the pop-up pantry, including 2 first-time sign-ups. Several shared their concerns about the closures.
One pantry user has said:
“It’s disappointing to say the least. Unless you have transport, you’re not going anywhere.”
Another visitor raised the issue of travel costs, commenting:
“I don’t get my bus pass until next year. It will cost me £3 to get to Sandown, £5 to pay then £3 to get back. So that’s £11 for £15 worth of food.”
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A third attendee, while packing her trolley, expressed wider concerns:
“We’re going to miss it really badly, the food is a big help, but it’s not just coming for that, it’s speaking to people.
“I got the time wrong one day and turned up half an hour early, so I was first, but there was a long queue by the time it opened. How are they going to cope with lots more people going to Sandown?”
Permanent pantry locations will remain open in Cowes (Seaview Road), East Cowes (Vectis Road), Ventnor (Victoria Street), Ryde (Oakfield), Newport (Pyle Street), Pan (Downside) and Sandown (Fort Street).
Aspire Ryde has not yet indicated whether there are plans to reopen the pop-up sites should funding be secured in the future.
Joining a pantry is free, with users then paying £5 per session for £15 worth of food. Full information, including opening times, can be found here.
